This is a store entirely comprised of Hot Sauce and Condiments... it is amazing.
I have a thing for hot sauce... don't get me wrong I'm not one of those people who has taken to carrying their own bottle, nor do I dowse everything in sight with it. I am more of a recreational user, as and when it feels right, you know? Like on nachos, tacos, taco salad, steak and eggs... ok I will stop... you get my point.
The other day I was at 'family dinner' (not a real family, but a family of friends and colleagues surrounding one table and sharing a meal, it was beautiful) and one of the gentleman there soaked his entire roast dinner in Louisiana Hot Sauce (I'm talking traditional English sunday roast dinner complete with Yorkshire Pudding, it was amazing). This was both hilarious and intriguing to me; heres why-
I started thinking about food and life, and how the two are directly correlated. I sat there eating my roast chicken and roast potatoes, enjoying their simple flavor, the flavor Dave (the chef) intended and wondered why there was a need to cover it up? Salt enhances, sure, but condiments (as a general rule) alter or mask. Are you still with me? It's like a kid covering their food in ketchup or ranch dressing regardless of what the meal is, there is no interest in the actual flavor... the food has simply become a vehicle to get the condiment into your mouth.
Please note, I do love condiments, this is not an anti condiment piece, don't worry; mustard is incredible and there are always (at least) 3 kinds of hot sauce in my fridge. I am talking about how we cover up the flavors (moments/experiences) of life, we add and alter to taste (alcohol, drugs, fake emotions, manipulation, distraction, pron, social media... using our lives as a vehicle to have/consume these things).
As I sit here this morning and think through my life I can't help but wonder what things I am drowning in 'hot sauce'? What do I cover so I don't have to taste/experience it as is?
Perhaps I will look back on this and laugh at how very simple minded it all is one day... life is complicated and no two people experience it the same; your tastes differ from mine but that does not mean they are bad or wrong. However, I still have to ask- What are you covering? What do you numb? What 'taste' are you avoiding?
Just a little mid week food for thought (pun intended).
xx
