That Sweet Enemy

[Carrot Top]

There is no superior culinary tradition, there are just culinary illuminations within each culinary tradition.

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This phrase is memorable. It is not only exceptionally nicely turned, but also glows with a classic (not garden-variety) sort of truth.

[Pan]

[...]There is a dark side ... while I was there, curry houses abounded, to the point where "curry" was declared a traditional British  cuisine ... an outright theft, IMHO.[...]

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There are many, many countries that make curries. Do you also consider Malay, Thai, Cantonese, and Japanese curries "theft"? And also keep in mind that couscous has been declared the most popular "French" dish.

[Ptipois]

I am angered that you call yourself a lover of food but can not find anything better to do that bash french food.

←

Could you quote here just one paragraph, sentence or word in Tim's posts where he bashes French food? That would be helpful because I haven't seen that anywhere.

The best food you'll get in England is Indian...That leaves me wondering aobut british food....

This proves, I'm sorry to say, that you do not know much about good British food. Cannot blame you, for it is not very exposed. Which brings us back to Tim's thoughtful observations. I think it is very fine to defend one's heritage, I do that too when needed. But before you do that, I believe you should know what other people's heritage is really about.

[The Old Foodie]

There is no superior culinary tradition, there are just culinary illuminations within each culinary tradition.

←

This phrase is memorable. It is not only exceptionally nicely turned, but also glows with a classic (not garden-variety) sort of truth.

←

Hear! Hear!

It sums up the topic so well - and in a completely unarguable sort of way - that we could safely just pack up this thread and all go home. Except we are all having too much fun to stop the debate just yet.

[hjshorter]

I never mentioned intellectual superiority.

Not specifically, no. Maybe greater intellectual talent?

My point was that any perceived 'elitism' of specialisation is not the same as the pernicious elitism of class or wealth.

We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. Those that are "too smart" are sometimes seen as more elitist than the wealthy. Being a "gourmet" is the food equivalent of the ivory tower academic or the pointy-headed intellectual.

You're right, of course, that class and wealth have far too much impact on food appreciation... part of the point I was trying to raise in the original piece i.e. French is considered the Ur cuisine because of the influence of a class elite.

...and at this point I believe I may have achieved complete circularity. If my head goes any further up my fundament I'll need a miner's lamp

   

Busboy chastised me for causing that earlier today. I'll give you a hand out if you need it.

[menon1971]

I never mentioned intellectual superiority.

Not specifically, no. Maybe greater intellectual talent?

My point was that any perceived 'elitism' of specialisation is not the same as the pernicious elitism of class or wealth.

We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. Those that are "too smart" are sometimes seen as more elitist than the wealthy. Being a "gourmet" is the food equivalent of the ivory tower academic or the pointy-headed intellectual.

You're right, of course, that class and wealth have far too much impact on food appreciation... part of the point I was trying to raise in the original piece i.e. French is considered the Ur cuisine because of the influence of a class elite.

...and at this point I believe I may have achieved complete circularity. If my head goes any further up my fundament I'll need a miner's lamp

   

Busboy chastised me for causing that earlier today. I'll give you a hand out if you need it.

←

I have to agree with you, although biased because I reside in a proletarian version of the ivory tower. My major peeve is why some of us must apologize for trying to experience things, food in this case, in a way that is intellectually and aesthetically engaged? If it make me a snoot because I am curious about the unfamiliar and appreciate folks who provide me with food that they take pride in, then so be it. I also like the tenor of the previously discussed quote: we should try to affirm and value the best of all food cultures.

[annecros]

My point was that any perceived 'elitism' of specialisation is not the same as the pernicious elitism of class or wealth.

We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. Those that are "too smart" are sometimes seen as more elitist than the wealthy. Being a "gourmet" is the food equivalent of the ivory tower academic or the pointy-headed intellectual.

←

" We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. "

How do you figure? Looking at the most successful Americans, across the board from differing backgrounds, it seems that those individuals who are smart enough (or have the intelligence, if you prefer) to figure out how to do anything that is worthwhile faster, better and cheaper, are rewarded.

Please expound.

Bash The Cheesecake Factory or MicroSoft or IBM or YouTube or "pick your successful American politician here" or PizzaHut or DELL or Apple or Bennigans or EBay or Starbucks or etc. You can bash them all you like. But don't you wish you had thought of it first?

And weren't they great ideas? And doesn't it require a great intellect to come up with an idea that the whole world will buy into? And how were those great ideas from great intellects not rewarded?

That is, if I understand the concept of a meritocracy.

Edit: Forgot Google, but YouTube - sheesh...

Time to pop some more corn, and put my feet up! What are ya drinkin' Old Foodie?

Edited January 8, 2007 by annecros (log)

[menon1971]

My point was that any perceived 'elitism' of specialisation is not the same as the pernicious elitism of class or wealth.

We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. Those that are "too smart" are sometimes seen as more elitist than the wealthy. Being a "gourmet" is the food equivalent of the ivory tower academic or the pointy-headed intellectual.

←

" We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. "

How do you figure? Looking at the most successful Americans, across the board from differing backgrounds, it seems that those individuals who are smart enough (or have the intelligence, if you prefer) to figure out how to do anything that is worthwhile faster, better and cheaper, are rewarded.

Please expound.

Bash The Cheesecake Factory or MicroSoft or IBM or YouTube or "pick your successful American politician here" or PizzaHut or DELL or Apple or Bennigans or EBay or Starbucks or etc. You can bash them all you like. But don't you wish you had thought of it first?

And weren't they great ideas? And doesn't it require a great intellect to come up with an idea that the whole world will buy into? And how were those great ideas from great intellects not rewarded?

That is, if I understand the concept of a meritocracy.

Edit: Forgot Google, but YouTube - sheesh...

←

It seems that you confuse profit with merit, and cleverness with intellect.

[Pan]

My point was that any perceived 'elitism' of specialisation is not the same as the pernicious elitism of class or wealth.

We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. Those that are "too smart" are sometimes seen as more elitist than the wealthy. Being a "gourmet" is the food equivalent of the ivory tower academic or the pointy-headed intellectual.

←

" We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. "

How do you figure? Looking at the most successful Americans, across the board from differing backgrounds, it seems that those individuals who are smart enough (or have the intelligence, if you prefer) to figure out how to do anything that is worthwhile faster, better and cheaper, are rewarded.

Please expound.[...]

←

I think that the life and times of Adlai Stevenson, the "egghead" who therefore couldn't be elected President, constitutes the clearest example of anti-intellectual bias among the American populus. Also, consider the fact that Francois Mitterand, President of France, considered himself a writer first and a politician second. Could anyone like that be conceivable as President of the United States?

[menon1971]

My point was that any perceived 'elitism' of specialisation is not the same as the pernicious elitism of class or wealth.

We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. Those that are "too smart" are sometimes seen as more elitist than the wealthy. Being a "gourmet" is the food equivalent of the ivory tower academic or the pointy-headed intellectual.

←

" We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. "

How do you figure? Looking at the most successful Americans, across the board from differing backgrounds, it seems that those individuals who are smart enough (or have the intelligence, if you prefer) to figure out how to do anything that is worthwhile faster, better and cheaper, are rewarded.

Please expound.[...]

←

I think that the life and times of Adlai Stevenson, the "egghead" who therefore couldn't be elected President, constitutes the clearest example of anti-intellectual bias among the American populus. Also, consider the fact that Francois Mitterand, President of France, considered himself a writer first and a politician second. Could anyone like that be conceivable as President of the United States?

←

Nice point. How about Vaclav Havel?

[annecros]

My point was that any perceived 'elitism' of specialisation is not the same as the pernicious elitism of class or wealth.

We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. Those that are "too smart" are sometimes seen as more elitist than the wealthy. Being a "gourmet" is the food equivalent of the ivory tower academic or the pointy-headed intellectual.

←

" We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. "

How do you figure? Looking at the most successful Americans, across the board from differing backgrounds, it seems that those individuals who are smart enough (or have the intelligence, if you prefer) to figure out how to do anything that is worthwhile faster, better and cheaper, are rewarded.

Please expound.

Bash The Cheesecake Factory or MicroSoft or IBM or YouTube or "pick your successful American politician here" or PizzaHut or DELL or Apple or Bennigans or EBay or Starbucks or etc. You can bash them all you like. But don't you wish you had thought of it first?

And weren't they great ideas? And doesn't it require a great intellect to come up with an idea that the whole world will buy into? And how were those great ideas from great intellects not rewarded?

That is, if I understand the concept of a meritocracy.

Edit: Forgot Google, but YouTube - sheesh...

←

It seems that you confuse profit with merit, and cleverness with intellect.

←

Oh I LOVE IT! Didn't even have an opportunity to pull the brilliant little Redenbacker pack out of the plastic sleeve and slip it into the microwave.

Meritocracy.

Let's see what that means:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/meritocracy

mer·i·toc·ra·cy Pronunciation (mr-tkr-s)

n. pl. mer·i·toc·ra·cies

1. A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.

2.

a. A group of leaders or officeholders selected on the basis of individual ability or achievement.

b. Leadership by such a group.

Now Merit:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/merit

mer·it Pronunciation (mrt)

n.

1.

a. Superior quality or worth; excellence: a proposal of some merit; an ill-advised plan without merit.

b. A quality deserving praise or approval; virtue: a store having the merit of being open late.

2. Demonstrated ability or achievement: promotions based on merit alone.

3. An aspect of character or behavior deserving approval or disapproval. Often used in the plural: judging people according to their merits.

4. Christianity Spiritual credit granted for good works.

Then there is profit:

prof·it Pronunciation (prft)

n.

1. An advantageous gain or return; benefit.

2. The return received on a business undertaking after all operating expenses have been met.

3.

a. The return received on an investment after all charges have been paid. Often used in the plural.

b. The rate of increase in the net worth of a business enterprise in a given accounting period.

c. Income received from investments or property.

d. The amount received for a commodity or service in excess of the original cost.

I must pause here, because I cannot understand how you can have a meritocracy without rewarding merit. Profit is a reward, and certainly it is a means of advancement. Surely you are not suggesting that businesses that have bad ideas get profits in the US

I could really go on and on explaining how those definitions support one another, but then I would seem pretentious and pedantic. The dreaded "P" words.

Oh, cleverness and intellect are confused. I couldn't possibly look up clever and intelligent in a dictionary.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cleverness

clev·er Pronunciation (klvr)

adj. clev·er·er, clev·er·est

1. Mentally quick and original; bright.

2. Nimble with the hands or body; dexterous.

3. Exhibiting quick-wittedness: a clever story.

4. New England Easily managed; docile: "Oxen must be pretty clever to be bossed around the way they are" Dialect Notes.

5. New England Affable but not especially smart.

6. Chiefly Southern U.S. Good-natured; amiable. See Regional Note at ugly.

Now, intellect:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/intellect

in·tel·lect Pronunciation (ntl-kt)

n.

1.

a. The ability to learn and reason; the capacity for knowledge and understanding.

b. The ability to think abstractly or profoundly. See Synonyms at mind.

2. A person of great intellectual ability.

Then, there is "intelligence":

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/intelligence

in·tel·li·gence Pronunciation (n-tl-jns)

n.

1.

a. The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.

b. The faculty of thought and reason.

c. Superior powers of mind. See Synonyms at mind.

The only thing I can figure out, is that you must be from New England if you have trouble with this one.

Now, I must go open up that clever bag of popcorn, and toss it into my cleverly constructed microwave, so that I may eat and sit back.

Yes, I do think I am quite clever right now. I do love French Food, if not for Julia Child and the Gallopping Gourmet, I would have ever wasted away shriveled and dying in the barren American land of grits and pork otherwise.

Julia was very clever - I loved it when she had a wink.

[menon1971]

My point was that any perceived 'elitism' of specialisation is not the same as the pernicious elitism of class or wealth.

We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. Those that are "too smart" are sometimes seen as more elitist than the wealthy. Being a "gourmet" is the food equivalent of the ivory tower academic or the pointy-headed intellectual.

←

" We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. "

How do you figure? Looking at the most successful Americans, across the board from differing backgrounds, it seems that those individuals who are smart enough (or have the intelligence, if you prefer) to figure out how to do anything that is worthwhile faster, better and cheaper, are rewarded.

Please expound.

Bash The Cheesecake Factory or MicroSoft or IBM or YouTube or "pick your successful American politician here" or PizzaHut or DELL or Apple or Bennigans or EBay or Starbucks or etc. You can bash them all you like. But don't you wish you had thought of it first?

And weren't they great ideas? And doesn't it require a great intellect to come up with an idea that the whole world will buy into? And how were those great ideas from great intellects not rewarded?

That is, if I understand the concept of a meritocracy.

Edit: Forgot Google, but YouTube - sheesh...

←

It seems that you confuse profit with merit, and cleverness with intellect.

←

Oh I LOVE IT! Didn't even have an opportunity to pull the brilliant little Redenbacker pack out of the plastic sleeve and slip it into the microwave.

Meritocracy.

Let's see what that means:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/meritocracy

mer·i·toc·ra·cy Pronunciation (mr-tkr-s)

n. pl. mer·i·toc·ra·cies

1. A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.

2.

a. A group of leaders or officeholders selected on the basis of individual ability or achievement.

b. Leadership by such a group.

Now Merit:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/merit

mer·it Pronunciation (mrt)

n.

1.

a. Superior quality or worth; excellence: a proposal of some merit; an ill-advised plan without merit.

b. A quality deserving praise or approval; virtue: a store having the merit of being open late.

2. Demonstrated ability or achievement: promotions based on merit alone.

3. An aspect of character or behavior deserving approval or disapproval. Often used in the plural: judging people according to their merits.

4. Christianity Spiritual credit granted for good works.

Then there is profit:

prof·it Pronunciation (prft)

n.

1. An advantageous gain or return; benefit.

2. The return received on a business undertaking after all operating expenses have been met.

3.

a. The return received on an investment after all charges have been paid. Often used in the plural.

b. The rate of increase in the net worth of a business enterprise in a given accounting period.

c. Income received from investments or property.

d. The amount received for a commodity or service in excess of the original cost.

I must pause here, because I cannot understand how you can have a meritocracy without rewarding merit. Profit is a reward, and certainly it is a means of advancement. Surely you are not suggesting that businesses that have bad ideas get profits in the US

I could really go on and on explaining how those definitions support one another, but then I would seem pretentious and pedantic. The dreaded "P" words.

Oh, cleverness and intellect are confused. I couldn't possibly look up clever and intelligent in a dictionary.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cleverness

clev·er Pronunciation (klvr)

adj. clev·er·er, clev·er·est

1. Mentally quick and original; bright.

2. Nimble with the hands or body; dexterous.

3. Exhibiting quick-wittedness: a clever story.

4. New England Easily managed; docile: "Oxen must be pretty clever to be bossed around the way they are" Dialect Notes.

5. New England Affable but not especially smart.

6. Chiefly Southern U.S. Good-natured; amiable. See Regional Note at ugly.

Now, intellect:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/intellect

in·tel·lect Pronunciation (ntl-kt)

n.

1.

a. The ability to learn and reason; the capacity for knowledge and understanding.

b. The ability to think abstractly or profoundly. See Synonyms at mind.

2. A person of great intellectual ability.

Then, there is "intelligence":

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/intelligence

in·tel·li·gence Pronunciation (n-tl-jns)

n.

1.

a. The capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.

b. The faculty of thought and reason.

c. Superior powers of mind. See Synonyms at mind.

The only thing I can figure out, is that you must be from New England if you have trouble with this one.

Now, I must go open up that clever bag of popcorn, and toss it into my cleverly constructed microwave, so that I may eat and sit back.

Yes, I do think I am quite clever right now. I do love French Food, if not for Julia Child and the Gallopping Gourmet, I would have ever wasted away shriveled and dying in the barren American land of grits and pork otherwise.

Julia was very clever - I loved it when she had a wink.

←

I think you just proved my point.

[docsconz]

Those who make a profit don't always deserve it and those who do don't always get it. In some ways I think this is the very idea behind Tim's article. I think he is saying that while French food may very well have its fine attributes other culinary areas do too, but they do not necessarily receive the respect that they deserve. At least that is my take on what he wrote, even if I do not fully agree with it.

[annecros]

My point was that any perceived 'elitism' of specialisation is not the same as the pernicious elitism of class or wealth.

We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. Those that are "too smart" are sometimes seen as more elitist than the wealthy. Being a "gourmet" is the food equivalent of the ivory tower academic or the pointy-headed intellectual.

←

" We fancy ourselves a meritocracy, but there's a strong anti-intellectual streak in the USA. "

How do you figure? Looking at the most successful Americans, across the board from differing backgrounds, it seems that those individuals who are smart enough (or have

the intelligence, if you prefer) to figure out how to do anything that is worthwhile faster, better and cheaper, are rewarded.

Please expound.[...]

←

I think that the life and times of Adlai Stevenson, the "egghead" who therefore couldn't be elected President, constitutes the clearest example of anti-intellectual bias among the American populus. Also, consider the fact that Francois Mitterand, President of France, considered himself a writer first and a politician second. Could anyone like that be conceivable as President of the United States?

←

Stevenson ran for President in 1952 and 1956. It wasn't so much he was an "egghead" but that he had a stick up his bottom. That is what made the egghead tag so effective, and quite frankly funny, concerning his personal appearance. At least we can tie that into something that has something to do with food!

Besides, he was running against Eisenhower, come on. Suicide mission at the time. And considering his background he was incredibly successful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adlai_Stevenson

Read up. We have had better educated indiviudals in office before and since, who had no shame in including education in the resume.

Check the roll call of Presidents and get back to me.

See where they graduated, what they accomplished, where they came from, and who they were.

Now, what about food?

[annecros]

Oh Please!

Come on menon1971, don't be so obtuse! Tell us what you really think!

Is the US a meritrocracy, or do we just fancy ourselves a meritocracy?

Edited to add: By the way, where is the sarcasm button, so other people can hear it and get it and understand? Bueller? Bueller?

Edited January 8, 2007 by annecros (log)

[menon1971]

Oh Please!

Come on menon1971, don't be so obtuse! Tell us what you really think!

Is the US a meritrocracy, or do we just fancy ourselves a meritocracy?

←

If you insist.

Do you believe that where someone graduated from indicates merit? Have you never heard of a legacy?

Capital trumps talent usually, and profit is mistaken for merit more often that not. Who is wealthier/more talented Pepin or Ray? Hawkings or Gates? Willem Defoe or Paris Hilton?

[annecros]

Oh Please!

Come on menon1971, don't be so obtuse! Tell us what you really think!

Is the US a meritrocracy, or do we just fancy ourselves a meritocracy?

←

If you insist.

Do you believe that where someone graduated from indicates merit? Have you never heard of a legacy?

Capital trumps talent usually, and profit is mistaken for merit more often that not. Who is wealthier/more talented Pepin or Ray? Hawkings or Gates? Willem Defoe or Paris Hilton?

←

Yes I insist. Answer the question, or not. Don't be so obtuse.

Is the US a meritocracy, or do we just fancy ourselves a meritocracy and aren't really since we just fancy ourselves one?

Please answer, then back it up with something concrete. Just asking you to take a stand. No need to call in the defense in advance.

What does this have to do with food? That was the second burning issue I presented.

I don't think you can point to any place in context where I have indicated in word or deed where I have suggested that where someone graduates from is the sum total of the worth of the person.

It is almost getting silly now.

I may join Tim in the inverted cranial position just for a bit of peace. It was very nice when I had popcorn and could sit back and watch.

One more attaboy for Tim. Good job.

By the way, the US is only 230 years old, and you are going on about legacy? Seriously? Do you really mean that, in the perspective of world history, I mean?

This really needs to get back on the food topic.

Edited January 8, 2007 by annecros (log)

[hjshorter]

Perhaps I was a little imprecise, but sweet Jebus on a crutch...settle down people. More food talk, please, and less Adlai Stevenson.

Meritocracy, as opposed to prestige gained by being a member of the ruling class. Egalitarian. And less likely to worship at the altar of Escoffier, according to Tim.

I think the codification of French cooking techniques has contributed to the French culinary hegemony. What do you think?

[Carrot Top]

I think the codification of French cooking techniques has contributed to the French culinary hegemony.  What do you think?

←

Yes, I think so. It put French food on wheels, so to speak.

[annecros]

Perhaps I was a little imprecise, but sweet Jebus on a crutch...settle down people.    More food talk, please, and less Adlai Stevenson.

Meritocracy, as opposed to prestige gained by being a member of the ruling class.  Egalitarian.  And less likely to worship at the altar of Escoffier, according to Tim. 

I think the codification of French cooking techniques has contributed to the French culinary hegemony.  What do you think?

←

LOL

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Couldn't stand back, had to give it a little snark as it slid by. I am usually above that...

I think French food is good. I think food in the UK is good. I think food in the US is good.

I have met bad food, but it was on the way to meet better food, and at least gave me a yardstick (yep, an English measure) to judge what was consumed later.

Popcorn in hand, and very calm now.

Edit to add: Adlai Stevenson did have a head shaped like an egg.

Edited January 8, 2007 by annecros (log)

[docsconz]

I think the codification of French cooking techniques has contributed to the French culinary hegemony.  What do you think?

←

Yes, I think so. It put French food on wheels, so to speak.

←

While this was certainly significant, one of the important elements that runs through French, Italian and Spanish cuisines (and others less intimately familiar to me as well probably) is the excellence from bottom to top that is ingrained within the cultures. That appears to be less the case in certain Anglo-Saxon based cultures including American. However, both ends may be coming towards a middle as some of the mainland European cultures may be becoming more lax in the primary importance of food at all socio-economic levels and some of the Anglo-Saxon based cultures are becoming more serious about it. That may be influenced at least in part by cross-cultural assimilation between those cultures and others.

[docsconz]

It seems as if a lot of people on this topic are looking at French food and cuisine and thinking that it is all about Escoffier and haute cuisine. That is certainly an important element, but it is still only an element.

[annecros]

I think the codification of French cooking techniques has contributed to the French culinary hegemony.  What do you think?

←

Yes, I think so. It put French food on wheels, so to speak.

←

While this was certainly significant, one of the important elements that runs through French, Italian and Spanish cuisines (and others less intimately familiar to me as well probably) is the excellence from bottom to top that is ingrained within the cultures. That appears to be less the case in certain Anglo-Saxon based cultures including American. However, both ends may be coming towards a middle as some of the mainland European cultures may be becoming more lax in the primary importance of food at all socio-economic levels and some of the Anglo-Saxon based cultures are becoming more serious about it. That may be influenced at least in part by cross-cultural assimilation between those cultures and others.

←

I would respectfully suggest that the bottom to top issue that you are illuminating, has everything to do with survival on a primal basis. Yaddah - Yaddah.

Oh, the ends go every which way. I think it is definitly influenced by cross-cultural assimilation.

Food is so much fun.

[annecros]

It seems as if a lot of people on this topic are looking at French food and cuisine and thinking that it is all about Escoffier and haute cuisine. That is certainly an important element, but it is still only an element.

←

My favorite french stuff is mostly the cheese, the preservation methods, and getting the most out of the seasonal ingredients you have on hand.

I really do love French food, though I may be provencial.

[Carrot Top]

While this was certainly significant, one of the important elements that runs through French, Italian and Spanish cuisines (and others less intimately familiar to me as well probably) is the excellence from bottom to top that is ingrained within the cultures. That appears to be less the case in certain Anglo-Saxon based cultures including American.

←

I can see this in our culture. . .and my own take would be that besides the Puritanism that sits so solidly at the core of many ways our culture has been formed there would be what I think of as the "Cowboy" influence. Not real cowboys, you understand, but the sense of movement, always movement, always something "over there" to do rather than to focus in on one place, one way of doing things (which of course is how one gets better at things, with intent focus and regard. . .)

I can't speak for any other Anglo-Saxon culture's food as *not* being as fine as the French or any other culture's though, for I have not lived it in situ for any extended period of time.

I do believe in potential, though, and the power of faith. Faith (I'm not talking religion here, you understand) is an important thing to have or to develop if one wants to develop an excellence of any sort. So if the cultural faith in the food of one's home is not there, if the faith is placed in another's hands (as it might be said has been done with French cuisine in some of our cultures) it could be a good seed to try to plant back home instead, in whatever ways, in whatever soil happens to be there, so that whatever existed before could be grown better and perhaps truer.