What's on your plate today?
   It was day one of our summer vacation and we were looking for a place to stop for a picnic lunch we had packed that morning. Knowing we'd have many hours in the vehicle that day we thought finding a picnic site and getting some fresh air would be preferable to a restaurant since we would spending the next couple of weeks doing that.
   We found a beautiful spot off the interstate with big shade-providing trees and nice picnic tables and began unpacking our lunch. I was thoroughly enjoying the sunshine and peacefulness of the spot, but must admit less than enthusiastic about the lunch we would be eating. I am not a fan of sandwiches. At all. But they are pretty much the perfect picnic fare.
   Americans eat close to 200 sandwiches per year so clearly it's an item of choice for many people. There's nothing wrong with them, and my family loves them, they just don't make my list of favourites. Although give me an ice cream sandwich any day of the week and I'm happy.
   At its essence the sandwich is two pieces of bread with some type of filling in the middle. This accepted understanding proved quite important more than a decade ago when a court in Boston had to consider whether a restaurant that sold burritos could move into a shopping center where another restaurant had a no-compete clause prohibiting any other sandwich shop from opening up. The court ruled a sandwich had to consist of at least two slices of bread and did not include burritos, tacos or quesadillas.
   But if the definition is rather mundane, the endless options are not. Bored with the ham and cheese or peanut butter and jelly variety? Then try the Pacific Waffle Sandwich which includes quinoa dill waffles, a fried egg, goat cheese, red onions, smoked salmon and creamy avocado. Or the Honey Glazed Ham Sandwich featuring peppery arugula, sweet strawberry jam and a generous serving of creamy Brie.
   According to those who tally such things in our country, the typical Canadian consumes more three sandwiches every week. (hopefully someone is eating my share), and of those ordered in restaurants, 60% are made to-go. Consumers point to their convenience and portability as key components for their choices.
   Which brings us back to that summer day at that roadside picnic area. Somehow those sandwiches—decidedly un-gourmet yet within the legal definition--seemed different to me. In that moment in the quiet picnic area, and perhaps in anticipation of the holiday that was to come—the sandwiches were tasty. Very tasty. We were unhurried as we stopped for that picnic. True, there were many hours of travel ahead, but we were already accomplishing what we hoped to over those days. Fresh air. Conversation. Fun.
My husband and I had the chance to attend a Culinary Theatre experience with a world class chef. The restaurant was spectacular and each table impeccably appointed. We were just feet from where the chef would be explaining and preparing each course or you could check out the screens high above the seating area and get an overhead view as he worked with an array of ingredients representing five different regions of the country we were visiting. Just when the aromas began to ignite our senses the army of wait staff arrived at the tables with the cuisine we were eager to taste. For the hardworking staff it was a night of non-stop activity. For us it was unhurried. We enjoyed the wonderful ambience, relaxed conversation, and food that tasted so good, not only because of its sourcing and preparation, but because of the opportunity to simply sit back…and enjoy.
Sometimes our overcrowded schedules can make good use of the sandwich-on-the-go convenience, but we also need to make opportunities to more fully appreciate the ingredients in front of us along with the people beside us. Whether it's fresh fish caught that morning or peanut butter out of the jar, let's be sure that our plates aren't so full we don't take the time to savour the food on that plate--or the treats in the picnic basket. That's my outlook.
