Getting creative with food

– the good, the bad, and the ugly

Nov 29, 2024

A few weeks ago I’d written this Getting Creative piece which was put to one side as I wanted to respond to the anniversary of the felling of the tree at Sycamore Gap. So here it is, better late than never.

I’m currently writing my second novel (working title: The Secret of Thornford Hall). For reasons beyond me, I decided my main character would be a chef. I say this because I am not at my best in the kitchen. My interest in food is mostly about the eating part rather than the creating part. I’m not a bad cook, I do make a pretty good lasagne, even if I say so myself, and my Limoncello Tiramisu is always well received. I’m simply not excited by cooking or baking as some people are.

Some research was going to be needed.

Apart from watching endless episodes of Masterchef, I discovered this gem:

And this quote stood out for me:

“When people enter the kitchen, they often drag their childhood in with them.”

–Laurie Colwin

This fit perfectly with the story I’m writing and the themes of the novel, so I’ve been reading through the book and asking myself some questions to generate ideas for my main character (I confess, I’ve yet to try any of the recipes).

I thought I’d share these with you.

Generating Ideas and Sharing Stories

For writers

You might like to try these exercises. If you’re not a writer (yet) why not give it a go.

For readers

Even if you don’t put pen to paper, I bet you have a story to share. Perhaps at your next family meal of dinner party (do people still have those?)

Childhood memories of food and eating

What were your favourite foods as a child? Why?
What did you dislike? Why?
Is there a particular place associated with the memories?
Is there a particular person associated with the memories?

Take 2-3 mins to think about or jot down some ideas.

Kitchen horrors

“Awful things happen in the kitchen all the time, even to the most experienced cooks” –Laurie Colwin

Have you had any food disasters?
Or remember any disasters of others?

Take 2-3 mins to think about or jot down some ideas.

Repulsive dinners

“There is something triumphant about a really disgusting meal. It lingers in the memory with a lurid glow…I’m not thinking about kitchen disasters–chewy pasta, burnt brownies, curdled sauces: these can happen to anyone. I am thinking about meals that are positively loathsome…” –Laurie Colwin

What’s the worst food you’ve ever eaten?
Where was it? A restaurant or home cooked?
Who was cooking?

Take 2-3 mins to think about or jot down some ideas.

Comfort food

“…when people are tired and hungry, which in adult life is much of the time, they do not want to be confronted by an intellectually challenging meal: they want to be consoled.” –Laurie Colwin

What’s your favourite comfort food – sweet or savoury?
Has this changed from when you were a child?

Take 2-3 mins to think about or jot down some ideas.

For writers

Now spend 10-15 minutes writing about food. It can be a personal memory or use your experience to write a fictional piece.
You could ask your character these questions, they might surprise you!
If you’re working on a longer piece of work, can you weave food into the narrative? Can you use it to show something about a character?

For readers

Have you read anything recently where food played a part in the story or helped to develop a character? How did it enhance the story or how did it make you feel about the character?

I’d love to hear your food stories so please do

Lesley's Words & Musings

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