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

[RichSCA at aol.com]

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)