Food Swinerai
“The Fortress”
Today’s post is food related, and depending on your preference, palate, and style of indulgence, you might find it to your liking or revulsion. I watched something disturbing on TikTok the other day, and it was abject. I don’t spend any time on that app, I am not a tiktoker, but I was send a link to the fortress. If you click on the link, you will be taken to a sight of decadence. And by decadence I don’t mean something positive.
For lack of words, I have translated my reaction to this eyesore into Food Swinerai, literally to be understood as swinish food, which in turn has a double entendre. The first pertains to the visual presentation of the dish, which is not particularly appetizing even though the individual dishes that make up “the fortress” by themselves and in combination are quite delicious. I have no qualms going to town in spite of the presentation because I know the dishes are delectable when prepared correctly. I have no doubt that “the fortress” is a dish to feed one’s swinish stomach, but rather than presenting a sight of delight, I am witness to a swinish mess (however scrumptious it may be): there is nothing rustic about the dish, nor is it homely. Taste isn’t everything, we eat with our eyes, as well. Personally, I judge a dish by its visual deliciousness first. If a dish does not look inviting, I am very reluctant to try it. The second meaning appertains to food abuse. The dish is not about extravagance, it is an overindulgence that makes man a swine. It is a swinish abuse of food. I think gluttonous is the word. I am convinced one becomes a swine if pigging out on this dish. I would rename it “the pigsty” instead of “the fortress.”
Let me be clear. I am not here to judge. At least not the people who would like to put their teeth in “the pigsty,” nor those who came up with this monstrosity. I am not some gourmet puritan on a vegan crusade. I am not a food snob either dining with my pinky erect sipping on a 10 course menu in a 100 Michelin starred restaurant dressed to the nines in my priceless Baloney suit. My complaint (or lament) is only concerned with the lack of just a touch of finesse. The presentation is clumsy bordering to manhandling of meat and mac’ncheese. I am aware of the fact that this is not fine dining, and it is not that kind of finesse I am advocating, just a little more care in the exposition that would make me salivate a 100% more and eat it with my eyes. First impressions also matter when it comes to food. This said, I’m sure that “the fortress” eats well, but it is not the most aesthetically delicious barbecue dish I’ve ever laid eyes on.