Food Assignment: Eat in Italy

To begin, this assignment involves exploring the dining experiences in Italy, focusing on the transition from Venice to Milan to Florence. This task is interesting for two main purposes: analyzing the culinary differences among these cities and comparing the overall dining experience in Italy to that in America.

First, I want to analyze the variation of eating in Italy. One aspect that surprised me in Venice was the contrasting treatment between lunch and dinner. Dinner, or as Europeans call it: supper, is a leisurely affair, often a three-hour event, enjoyed in the company of friends or family at a nice restaurant, accompanied by three to four courses of food. In contrast, lunch is characterized as quick, often spent alone, and on-the-go. In fact, throughout my three weeks in Italy, the only times I sat down for lunch were the instances we ate as a class. Instead, my lunchtime consisted of sandwiches from cafes. As for dinner, as shown to the right and below, my plate indulged in various ranges: seafood delicacies, traditional pasta, or various steak cuts. Each occasion was unique, my supper depending on our location in Italy and the specialties of that region. 

Something notable was the food diversity across the different regions of Italy. Within Le Cinque Terre, seafood dishes dominated the menu, due to their location along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Conversely, Florence was the first time I had red meat again, as the Tuscany region is renowned for its beef dishes.

Moreover, the pace of dining also depended on the location. In Venice, we sometimes spent an hour between a glass of wine and our first appetizer. The servers seemed unhurried, requiring multiple reminders for the check. In contrast, in the modern cities of Milan and Florence, our table was checked on multiple times by both the server and owner. Meals were brought quickly and the empty plates were swiftly taken away. This efficient service resembled the dining experience in America, with tables being turned efficiently, contrasting the leisure of Venice, where lingering was encouraged. 

To reflect, these small differences between Italian cities showcase the clash of Renaissance and Modern paradigms. Venice, filled with Renaissance tradition, prioritizes appreciating time and the dining experience. On the other hand, Milan and Florence embody modern efficiency, valuing table flipping and profitability over extended dining experiences. Overall, eating in the different regions of Italy has exemplified appreciating life slowly versus embracing efficiency, reflecting the broader societal shifts from Renaissance ideals to modern perspectives.

Secondly, I want to highlight and reflect on the differences between dining in Italy and dining in America. There are evident distinctions when dining out: Italian menus are notably much smaller compared to the abundance of options found in American restaurants. Additionally, there's a notable difference in the size of restaurants. American establishments are expansive with crammed tables to accommodate a large number of patrons. Conversely, in Italy, mainly Venice and other Renaissance towns, restaurants typically feature only ten to fifteen tables spread across two rooms. As previously mentioned, the approach of servers differs between flipping the table and maximizing profits versus the experiences itself. The dining experience in Italy is about appreciating the moment and the company you're with.  

The Italian way of dining entails savoring time with friends or family. In Italy, you pay a table fee and essentially reserve your table for the entire evening. Instead of being hurried out, you're welcomed into the restaurant as if it's your own home. In America, there are often times I find myself eating alone. Whether my mom is occupied with work, my sister with school, or my dad running errands, it is rare for all four of us to eat together. America prioritizes the efficiency of time, rushing from one task to the next. This impacts family togetherness and fosters a lack of personal connections. There is no debrief at the end of the day, no opportunity to catch up on each other's lives. Even at Purdue, I find myself dining alone instead of with friends. These dining expectations in America negatively influence our relationships. Reflecting on the pace of life, DeBotton, in "On Possessing Beauty," notes: "There was always more in the world than man could see, walked they ever so slowly; they will see it no better for going fast. The really precious things are thought and sight, not pace" (deBotton 218). It's crucial for us to appreciate "thought and sight, not pace." Rushing only hastens the inevitable: death. Instead, we should cherish what is before us - time, family, friends, and, notably, mealtimes. Before this trip, in my "Ciao" blog post, I reflected on how I wanted to live slowly rather than efficiently. The differences between eating in Italy and eating in America have highlighted how simple it is to make a change. By valuing meals and the company I share them with, I can bring back the lessons I have learned to my American self and family. 

Another lesson is evident in the quality and quantity of food. Meals are meant to be savored and enjoyed. In America, chain restaurants are plentiful, with identical establishments every few miles. However, I didn't encounter a single repeat restaurant in Italy. Moreover, during guided tours, meals were praised for only using locally sourced ingredients from farms and vineyards. This contrasts with America, where preservatives infest the foods. The quantity of food also differs significantly. Amazingly, throughout the entire three-week trip, I never felt uncomfortably full. I was full, but I never felt like I had overeaten, a common feeling after the Purdue dining halls. Pictured below is a ravioli dish from Venice, where the serving size was just four ravioli. Despite its modern appearance, I found myself content with how much I had eaten. 

Overall, the paradigm shift from the Renaissance Era to the Modern World and into the Post-Modern World is evident in food and dining experiences. Modern efficiency is showcased through fast food establishments, preservatives, and take-out culture. When I return home, I want to apply what I have learned to my family. As previously mentioned, it is rare for us all to gather at the dinner table, reflecting our disconnectedness. Our dinner table is a sacred place in my household, but it is often used for homework or taxes rather than meals, symbolizing our fragmented 'modern' lifestyle. Foucault, in "Of Other Spaces," contemplates the meaning of heterotopias, the places that define society and togetherness: "There are also, probably in every culture, in every civilization, real places - places that do exist and that are formed in the very founding of society..." (Foucault 24). In my family, our real place was once the dining table. As a child, we all sat down for dinner to reconnect and enjoy family time. Now, as we grow older and busier, the dining table has become a void of what we once were. It exists, symbolizing our family's togetherness and connection. When I go home, I want to rekindle the tradition of dining together. I have learned to appreciate the Renaissance approach to meals in Venice and Le Cinque Terre. Now it is time to apply this appreciation and rebuild our family connection.