Symons on the importance of gastronomy

I came across this quote while doing research for my dissertation on Australian and British cuisines. I am lucky enough to be in email contact with Michael who said that he thought (when he saw my email address) that I meant One Dish Closer to Death! I thought this quote was quite funny in light of that. Indeed, that is certainly a valid way of looking at it, so make sure you enjoy it.

"I have done a quick calculation and decided that: You can reasonably expect 76,650 meals during your life, but to die only once. We can look on these everyday events as nourishment, sensual gratification, conviviality, cultural expression and, in accumulation, a commentary upon society and life. Surely that's enough for any intellectual."

Michael Symons

Symons, M. 1984. A Potted History of Australian Gastronomy. In Santich, B. ed. The Upstart Cuisine: Proceedings of the First Symposium of Australian Gastronomy, Carclew, Adelaide, March 12 and 13, 1984. Adelaide: No publisher given.