Let me preface this entry by saying it was sparked by conversation and someone else's posting. I am infuriated...not just riled up, slightly miffed or a bit bothered. I am downright pissed off. Warning: This blog may contain expletives!
The MC and I had a conversation today about our small town values. This does not mean that we are some backwoods, racist, uneducated and uncultured hicks - quite the contrary. Being raised mostly in a small town taught me the quality of a locally owned family business. People who are invested in the community not only financially but socially and spiritually as well provides more care and appreciation for their customer. The willingness to work and desire to do well shows. Nothing can be more kind or cruel than word of mouth. I, for one, will spread the word to help any such business that strives to serve and serve well. I am also going to warn people to steer clear of what might be shady or undesirable. That isn't a quality that makes me unique because who doesn't share their experience?
Here is where the ire comes in...A friend of mine and the owner of a local small business made a post today relaying some arrogant remarks from a local food critic. Des Moines was slandered against for it's lack of culinary culture. It was clearly a bias of a French food fanatic, she had an agenda. There is no debate that there is a lack of French cuisine in the city. That does not mean that the metro is bereft of culinary culture, just not the one she chooses. In a city of approximately a half million people there are multitudes of Mexican, Japanese, Italian, Thai and Chinese dining establishments. There are a few Equadorian, Cajun, Indian, Soul Food, German, British and Bosnian restaurants represented as well. There is even a large support of (this makes me internally cringe) Vegan food.uHust because we all don't tout the greatness of Julia Child (who was at best a drunken, unimaginative recipe following fame seeker) does not mean that we are knuckle dragging Neanderthals in search of the next cheese burger.
Anyone who knows a bit about me has learned that I am unapologetically a devout Foodie. The MC has a whole album of pictures dedicated to my culinary whimsy. Just for bragging rights and example - tomorrow's menu is beef brisket, sweet potato salad (par boiled sweet potatoes, plain yogurt sweetened with honey and fresh ginger, apple cider vinegar and Braeburn apples) stuffed mushrooms (shredded chicken, bacon, mushrooms, panko bread crumbs, a buttered herb sauce and topped with muenster cheese) broccoli with cheese and bacon sauce and the ever offensive to Frenchie - peanut butter cup cheesecake bars drizzles with caramel and chocolate chips.I am from Hickville, USA yet I have managed to escape this void of bland and boring food. It was personally offensive to me to be treated like I was a witless dolt that would crM anything into my mouth and let it spill from gluttonous lips because that was all that was available. I am willing to venture and explore what tantalizing tastes await on the horizon.
This is where trends vs. Small town values comes into play. While we have a wide variety here in Des Moines, there is the terrible problem of brand recognizing, trendy social climbers who are more about where or what they are seen with than the quality. These wine swilling, coffee bar slumming trolls see merit in a name or spot because it is the popular or trendy thing to do. Go ahead and tAlk about your Chai Latte, because hey, that makes you pretty cool to everyone else. Maybe all your friends will sing the praises of how much they need a coffee from Starbucks or what a great place Trader Joes is. I am going to throw the bullshit flag all over that - multiple infractions, half the distance to the goal, you get a red card, two minutes in the penalty box (insert sports analogy for bad behavior here).
We are all guilty of eating a some craptastic chain every once in a while, but that shouldn't be our rule of thumb. Live a little and support others trying to make a good, honest living - buy local foods when you can, not just shop at some place claiming to be organic. Quit buying bulk of frozen foods and make something fresh. Don't waste! This is the most atrocious of all. Talking about how much you spent on something or where you got has little to no meaning if you don't use it. It's about time we support the smaller, family owned restaurants and other businesses. Not because it's the cool thing to do, but because those are the people who really give a shit (pardon my Fench and pun completely intended).
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