Celebrating the Wonder of Food Beyond the Table

Americans spend around 400 hours in the kitchen, and over $3,000 eating out yearly. Statistics such as these are evidence of the importance food has in our lives—and the enjoyment and satisfaction it brings to so many people. If you’ve seen the latest Dolce & Gabbana campaigns, then you know that food seeps into fashion, culture, and artistry almost seamlessly. Lemons, pineapples, and watermelons grace everything from dresses to décor and espadrilles, making patent the extent to which we associate food with summer and the rest of the seasons. If you are keen on showing your love for food in ways that extend beyond the kitchen, the following ideas may provide the inspiration you are after. 

Hedonistic Home Design

Food décor is an art form that combines sight and taste and can lead to a phenomenon called synesthesia—which occurs when your brain routes information through multiple unrelated senses, causing you to use more than once sense at the exact same time. For instance, you might look at a picture of ice-cream and instantly feel a little cooler, or feel hungry when touching an item that bears a similar texture to your favorite food. Interior designs have tapped into the power of synesthesia, creating a myriad of products that simultaneously stimulate the senses of sight and taste. From ice-cream-shaped lamps to sushi shaped salt shakers, there is a wide rage of decorative items that can add uniqueness to your home. Foody décor also extends to wallpaper, soft furnishings, table mats, and items you can change as the seasons go by.

Mouthwatering Games 

 Food games offer a unique and playful way to entertain yourself and connect with other gamers who may be into similar foods. Indeed, food features heavily in many games, playing a starring role in iconic gaming apps and video games for fervent foodies. In games centered on cooking, for instance, players have to complete a series of mini challenges in order to cook a full meal. In the game Fast Food, meanwhile, a series of floating lips munch away, consuming as many goodies as they can to obtain points. Other games are heavily catered to gourmets. These include food treasure hunts, culinary trivial pursuits, and tic-tac-toe using real food items like macarons instead of Xs and Os. 

Edible Entertainment

Gastronomy has become part of digital media in surprising ways, providing entertainment for audiences across the globe. Take Masterchef—a gourmet cooking competition that airs in over 65 countries, each of which has their own version of the show. Season 13 of Masterchef in the U.S. fetched an impressive 2.51 million viewers, echoing the show’s success in all other countries. YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are all doing their share to foster a love of food, reveal surprising new recipes, and inspire newbies to get into the kitchen. Just a few TikTok channels you may want to check out those of Thomas Straker, Owen Han, and Matty Matheson. If fruits and vegetables set your heart on fire, then check out The Salad Lab, Halle Burns, or The Vegan Warehouse.

You don’t need to limit your love of food to the experience of savoring it. Your favorite treats can be enjoyed in various other ways—including decor, gaming and digital entertainment. Add subtle details to your home or cover your walls with your images of classic foods. Play engaging food themed games alone or in a group, and consume media that will inspire you to recreate dishes from across the globe in your own kitchen.