Enjoying a meal is more than just curbing a hunger with food served on a plate. The sustenance provided comes from the shared experience. The heart of that moment is storytelling. Bringing together the past, present, and future, the cook connects with the diner, and the two are forever intertwined. Spending time with Chef Andoni Luis Aduriz had a tremendous impact on how I look at, cook, and serve food.
For those unfamiliar with Chef Andoni, he is one of the most influential chefs in the world. From his Michelin-star restaurant, Mugartiz, to his stunning restaurant XAL at La Casa de La Playa, a part of Xcaret's hotel group, Chef Andoni invites guests to have an experience at his table. Stunning, impeccable dishes are expected. More importantly, it is how people react, discuss, and remember that dining moment that makes one of his meals special.
During a conversation, in Spanish, the celebrated chef shared that his primary goal with serving a guest is to make them happy. While that emotion takes on many forms, it is a sentiment that has universality. Happy can be a flavor that brings a smile, it can spark a memory that warms the heart, or it can be a joyful tear that offers hope for the future. Food is one of the few tangible items that evokes these responses.
Chef Andoni went on to explain his approach to a meal. At the heart of what he and his team accomplish is the storytelling in the experience. From the local ingredients on the plate to the mix of cultures infusing their flavor, that moment in time is magical.
During his dining experience, especially at XAL, guests are invited to go on a journey both physically and emotionally. With guests progressing from space to space throughout the dinner, each course is like another chapter in that storytelling. From the welcoming bite to the spirited conversation during the sobre mesa, people infuse their perceptions into the hows, whats, wheres, and whys that make the meal special.
At the core of his dinner, Chef Andoni wants to create that emotional connection. Even though his restaurant dining experiences are elevated, he mimics the concept from his home. Welcoming guests in one area, moving to the table, and finishing outside under the stars, each new environment changes perspective and enhances the experience.
The food compliments that journey. Dishes are rooted in the familiar, the traditional, or even the slight nod to family recipes. No one expects the homey meal that grandma would serve, but there is a thread of familiar, sentimental, and satisfying. The balance between elevated and familiar resonates deeply and heightens the experience.
While Chef Andoni and his team do this concept expertly at his restaurants, the concept resonated with me deeply. Too often, meals are rushed events, hurriedly eaten, similar to checking off an item on the to-do list. After spending time with Chef Andoni and enjoying his meal, my approach to food has changed.
Granted, some meals are simple, and they should be. In contrast, enjoying a meal with family, friends, or even just acquaintances has an impact beyond the plate. Barriers are broken through the act of picking up the fork, interacting with others, and savoring the moment. It may be just one moment in time, but it is a seed that sprouts a lifetime of connection. My family's recipes may be far different from my friend's dishes, but we can recall the birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, and meaningful moments that connect the concepts beyond the ingredients.
Chefs around the world have said time and again, food is the common connector. Names might be different, flavors have different nuances, but the connection that happens around a table crosses cultures and finds a commonality between people. As a home cook, my meals might not be Michelin-worthy, but they share the same sentiment as those celebrated chefs. The goal of every chef and cook is to make people happy.
The steak may not be the exact medium rare, or the risotto could be a touch underdone. The roasted chicken could be delectably juicy, and the pie crust is perfectly flaky. No matter what the scenario, the real measure of the meal is the storytelling through meaningful connections, which continues long after people leave the table.
Chef Andoni’s words still play over in my mind every time that I make Sunday supper for my family. Happiness grows through storytelling around the table. My next story is waiting to be told.