Many people in the United States seem to take food for granted. Yet when we look closer we see that food has deep meaning from the points of view of socioeconomic status, religious traditions and other cultural influences. Why do people fast? How does education influence dietary choices and health? This group will explore these issues and more. Warning: to participate in this group you must be willing to step out of your culinary comfort zone!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
??Essential Question??
Assignment: What is your essential question? How are you going to answer it?
11 comments:
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A way to connect to the Middle East is to interact with their people as we sample their food. Will talking and eating with people of different cultures help our group better understand diversity and increase our tolerance? I will gauge the receptivity of the people with whom we eat and shop.
Why, in many of the cultures we are exploring is rice a primary food? I will look at menus and speak to wait staff and ask about the use of rice in the culture? Is there a specific rice used?
Why do most cultures combine their foods while Americans separate food groups? I will observe what the people in the group eat and differentiate between mixed and separate dishes.
There are many different cultures represented in Boston. Does the food made in Boston taste the same and use the same ingredients as back in the countries of origin or is the food “Americanized”? I will ask the waiter this question at each restaurant we go to.
In today’s world the US is having troubles with some Middle Eastern cultures. How will learning about Middle Eastern food and culture help us to better understand cultural differences? I will look for pamphlets and newspapers in markets that might indicate political/cultural strife.
What does it take to have a successful, culturally based restaurant in a city like Boston? I will try to talk to the owner or manager of each restaurant we choose.
Why are American portions larger than other cultures? Do American cultural restaurants increase their portion size ? I will ask in each restaurant if portions are larger here than in their country of origin.
How do the routines and/or manners observed in an ethnic restaurant represent the given culture? I will observe the employees and diners for routines/ rituals of the culture.
Are certain peoples/cultures proud of their foods and does food “unite” them in some way? I will pay attention to the decorations in the restaurants and the behavior of the staff.
11 comments:
A way to connect to the Middle East is to interact with their people as we sample their food. Will talking and eating with people of different cultures help our group better understand diversity and increase our tolerance?
I will gauge the receptivity of the people with whom we eat and shop.
Why do poorer cultures use so much spice in their food?
What spices dominate each of the cultures we are exploring?
I will ask at each restaurant the major spices used in the their cooking.
Why, in many of the cultures we are exploring is rice a primary food?
I will look at menus and speak to wait staff and ask about the use of rice in the culture? Is there a specific rice used?
Why do most cultures combine their foods while Americans separate food groups?
I will observe what the people in the group eat and differentiate between mixed and separate dishes.
There are many different cultures represented in Boston. Does the food made in Boston taste the same and use the same ingredients as back in the countries of origin or is the food “Americanized”?
I will ask the waiter this question at each restaurant we go to.
In today’s world the US is having troubles with some Middle Eastern cultures. How will learning about Middle Eastern food and culture help us to better understand cultural differences?
I will look for pamphlets and newspapers in markets that might indicate political/cultural strife.
What does it take to have a successful, culturally based restaurant in a city like Boston?
I will try to talk to the owner or manager of each restaurant we choose.
What unique ingredients are used by the cultures we are studying?
I will search for unique ingredients in the markets we visit.
Why are American portions larger than other cultures? Do American cultural restaurants increase their portion size ?
I will ask in each restaurant if portions are larger here than in their country of origin.
How do the routines and/or manners observed in an ethnic restaurant represent the given culture?
I will observe the employees and diners for routines/ rituals of the culture.
Are certain peoples/cultures proud of their foods and does food “unite” them in some way?
I will pay attention to the decorations in the restaurants and the behavior of the staff.
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