Citizen Wausau

Matt Lehman is a Foodie

by Matt Lehman on September 26th, 2011

I am a foodie.

But for those who know me well enough, this is not a surprise.  I attribute this defining characteristic about myself in large part to my dad’s side of the family but also to a sense of self discovery.  Understanding my journey with food, including my likes and dislikes and how I got to this point, is something that I will share with you in posts on this blog.

Thank you, by the way, to the powers that be who run Citizen Wausau for asking me to write about food.  I am happy to spread my love of food.

A few caveats…I am not a food expert.  There is a lot I do not know about food and have yet to learn.  And though I claim to be a foodie, it is a lifestyle that, like music or art, requires constant work.  The painter will never grow if he sets his paint brush down and does nothing.  In the same way, the foodie will never grow if he or she puts their fork down and stops trying or experimenting.  It is through this process of exploration that one comes to discover and develop an appreciation for food.

The views I will share with you are my own.  I realize that everyone won’t always agree with me.  What I may savor, another person may spit out.  I’m fine with that.  In other words, food is a uniquely personal experience.  But it has a quality that can unite us.  It is the glue that binds us together.  This might make sense if you think of the Super Bowl party where the only things left in the end are empty bowls of chip dip, crusted pans where chicken wings once sat and a pizza pan with a few loose crumbs.

We use food to celebrate good times – like a wedding dinner or a meal to recognize a major accomplishment.  And it’s there to comfort us during the not so good times – the meal after a funeral, for example.

Food lets us introduce ourselves and welcome new neighbors.  It is the venue through which we can seal a business deal.  It teaches children about measuring and how to follow directions.  And, for the romantics out there, it can add a little spark and creativity to the love life.

And don’t forget that food involves all of our senses – we touch it, we smell it, we see it, we can hear it being made, and of course, we taste and savor it.

Many expected my first food post to be about bacon.  I’m sorry to disappoint.  But, if I am going to write about food, I need to establish a foundation that will help you understand where I am coming from.

Finally, I don’t want to be the only one on here talking about food.  I want to make this a conversation.  Tell me what you think.  I want to know your experience with food.  As I said earlier, I have a lot to learn and won’t be able to do that unless you help guide me there.