diary of a professional eater

  “Non-cooks think it's silly to invest two hours' work in two minutes' enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet.” - Julia Child 

 The first ever D.O.A.P.E food blog entry was posted in August '07. I thought it was high time that I started documenting my gastronomic adventures throughout my travels, fooding with my fellow foodies and experiments in the kitchen. And I found foodblogging to be the perfect springboard for melding together my newfound enthusiasm for photography and passion for food.  

Now, these are some food snaps which I took from my very memorable, adventure-filled, calorie-packed, weeklong Western Caribbean Cruise in '07. I couldn't wait to go back. It was truly a FOODIE'S PARADISE.  

Anyhow, these snaps became my main inspiration to further venture into food photography. Only during that cruise did I realize that taking photographs of food is just as important as taking photographs of people and places. The food was exquisitely prepared and handled with immense attention to detail that I almost didn't want to take a bite. Ah well. That moment didn't last long, I tell you. So, not wanting the edible works of art be reduced to being stored in my memory bank after we scarf them down, I started taking snaps of each gastronomic delight, subsequently after being placed on the table, in all their culinary glory. (Hence, the  "Shoot Now, Eat Later policy"  that I and my fellow foodies are still upholding.) That way, everytime I look back and browse through the photo albums, I have the food snaps to remind me of errrrr... how much lbs I gained from that week of lavishness and gluttony... oh no seriously... they remind me how rich and memorable.... and exciting the entire experience was. They instantly bring me back to that moment of sheer pleasure. Food snaps allow me to put a signature on the places that I visit and remind of the flavors that are indigenous to a certain locality.

As I am (STILL) intimidated (this could change, maybe) by the seemingly complicated operation of digital SLRs, I am solely dependent on my very handy point-and-shoot (I swear by my Canon SD870is) and some photo editing. To me, food itself is the art. And the ingredients, its freshness, vibrancy and the combination of colors are the best source for the needed aesthetics that will arouse the senses and tease the palette. In my opinion, there's not much need for garnish and extras. Hence, my preference for macro (food) photography. I find that close-up snaps render the food magnificent and luscious. Generally, I like to keep my food snaps clean and simple. And as much as possible, I try to do minimal food styling and plating. I want the colors in my food to be able to stand out against the blandest background. Food to me spells out comfort and brings out happy memories dating back to my childhood up to the present. I say, nothing better could perk me up than a good-sized serving of down-home comfort food. Food takes me to different places and times without even moving a foot.They say that one's food reflects his/her personality. That said, through this blog, let me share with you a bit of myself through the my travels and the foods that I love to make and eat. And as Wolfgang Puck's famous mantra goes, let's... "Live!... Love!.... Eat!"   

mid-week pigout: cheogajip chicken/pizza + le matin bubbles/pastries