Not About Your Final Meal …
When I first started DeathbedFood®, I was really confused by the answers I got from chefs whom I asked, “What’s your DeathbedFood?” Many seemed to think of Hospice beds, surrounded by family and a Priest perhaps, tubes coming out, etc. It was startling as these ideas never crossed my mind when I’ve said, “OMG! This is DeathbedFood!” in moments involving ah-mazing food or wine. Coming from a Market Research background, I realized that I needed to rephrase the question to get a better answer. So, over time, I began asking, “What’s your DeathbedFood? Something so good, that if you had it today, you could die happy tomorrow?”
Photo: My Last Supper, Facebook.com
Not that there’s anything wrong with the last meal concept. Take Melanie Dunea who gained fame as creator and photographer for her “My Last Supper” books where she takes the portrait of and interviews some of the greatest chefs, celebrities and foodies about their final meals. Certainly the concept has resonated with chefs since she’s been able to interview the likes of Ferrán Adrià, José Andrés, Mario Batali, Daniel Boulud, Anthony Bourdain, Scott Conant, Gary Danko, Thomas Keller, Eric Ripert – and more.
I can see why people (even chefs who I’m told talk about this topic a lot among themselves – “So, what type of bread or beer would you have if this were it?”) would go there. In fact, that place is maybe where the real Founder of DeathbedFood®, my Dad, was coming from as I believe his phrasing back in the day was something like, “Now, this is what I want as a final meal …”
While I give kudos to Melanie and her brilliant execution of her concept, I have to say that DeathbedFood® is not your Last Supper. It encompasses much more than food, easily including a plethora of experiences (Nordstrom anyone?). So, there you have it … next time something is ah-mazing, ask yourself, “Is this so good, that I could die happy tomorrow?”