Hi there, I'm new to the forum so I guess this is sort of like an introduction as well In answer to the questions asked: What was your family food culture when you were growing up? Not at all, only to me. Was meal time important? No. Was cooking important? Grew up with my mother who just looked on it as a necessary chore. What were the penalties for putting elbows on the table? Meals were quite informal, so no batterings for poor table manners. Who cooked in the family? My mother cooked, & my grandmother for family get-togethers. I wasn't allowed in the kitchen in case I might make a mess. Were restaurant meals common, or for special occassions? Definately only for special occasions. Did children have a "kiddy table" when guests were over? No special tables, kids were with everyone else. When did you get that first sip of wine? When I was about 20 years old! Tried bourbon when I was 17 though. Was there a pre-meal prayer? No pre-meal prayer as my mother was a "non-practicing Christian". I've continued this tradition as I am an atheist. Was there a rotating menu (e.g., meatloaf every Thursday)? Poorly cooked roast chicken & soggy boiled vegetables almost every day, occasionally interspersed with something else, very rarely red meat, which is probably why it makes it to the menu so often in my adult life. How much of your family culture is being replicated in your present-day family life? Not much. Most meals are informal which is the same as my home life but I try & expose my son to all different types of food & have him involved in the kitchen & preparing meals. I figure he should learn the essential skills like being able to take care of himself when he's an adult, (something I'm still learning) He's only just turned six but as he had been helping out or at least trying to I got him his own little Global knife last year which he has been taught to use carefully - has only cut himself once & it was only a little one. My boy tasted wine when he was 2 years old - just my finger dipped in & then in his mouth after he kept reaching for my glass of red..."see you won't like it"....he did though, so I had to hide it!
