SC - Getting the general populace to eat "period dishes"

[Elaine Koogler]

I think that the folks in Atlantia "expect" that their feasts will be period.
Most of us who cook do period dishes and when we teach our craft to others, we
pass this on.  I know that a lot of folks balk at the concept of a "period" dish,
but I find that most of these are people outside the SCA.  Usually, when a feast
is being cooked, it smells so wonderful that people will give it a try.

A couple of years ago, I served a beet pie at a late-period feast.  I had told
several folks who vowed a serious hatred of beets that this one was very good and
I thought that they would enjoy it.  I was told later that, because I had
suggested that they try it, they had and had loved it!

I still believe that if period food is presented in a manner that does not insult
the intelligence of those eating, if the meal is well-balanced and the service is
attractive (i.e., no "nekkid" food), most people will give it a try.

Kiri

RichSCA at aol.com wrote:

> I KNOW that I mentioned this in the middle of another Thread, but I can't
> find it and if I can't, I figure you'all can't either.  So... I am going to
> try again.
>
> A recent past discussion centered around people (no names or titles, please)
> that are of the opinion that period dishes are: (1) not for modern tastes
> (2)  Do not taste good (3) are not prepared well  (4) just plain suck.
>
> My question was how does the general populace at a feast even know that they
> are eating period dishes?  Now, I have seen this part of the question
> answered in basically two ways... (1) The Cook is known for preparing only
> period feast s and/or (2)  A menu stating such is posted before the feast.
>
> Now both of these work for _some_  of the populace, but not the person who is
> of the opinions above (especially number 4) if they avoid eating at period
> feasts (and I know of people that do this - they go to a local restuarant or
> bring their own food, rather than eat the feast) OR they skip the dishes that
> they KNOW are period without even trying them.
>
> Now some may think... "so what? It's their loss".  BUT if we care to educate
> them.  If we want the populace to appreciate period dishes.  If we desire
> those in "authority" to support our endevors, we need to get them to try the
> stuff.
>
> Again.. the question.  The best way that I can see to handle this is (at some
> feasts) in some areas where this is a problem - Prepare all feast with period
> foods and introduce period dishes WITHOUT announcing in advance that they are
> period.  Just cook and serve the food.  Let the people eat unaware of the
> history of the dish(es).  Then, went all is said and done... let the populace
> know what was period. That way they have at least tried it.
>
> Rayne
> Meridies
> (Hey, I had to be tricked into eating all sorts of things growing up)
>
>
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