*Due to popularity, we’re reposting our Hollywood Secrets series. Tell us your thoughts…. Part of my passion involves using food to communicate appreciation, which led me to delve into the concept of the “VIP”. A very important person is someone we identify as special, and we want them to know we think they are special, too. I’ve been brainstorming ways to help my clients communicate VIP status to those who are important to them. One of the first ideas that became clear to me was the strong connection between food and memory. Whether it is a surprise thank you gift, or a traditional sit-down meal, enjoying food can serve up strong memories for those important to us.
  1. Create a Memory…
When I think about my passion with creating great food, I think it’s partly because the strongest memories I have in life have to do with creating or sharing a great meal with friends and family. That’s one of the reasons I love what I do – allowing you to create memories, too. Some of the best memories we’ve stored oftentimes involve a great meal and great company. But why is that? In Remembrance of Repasts: An Anthropology of Food and Memory, author David Sutton explores the theoretical side of how culture, food, and memory are intertwined. He explores the cultural practices of both feasting and fasting and how cultural memory and even identity can be found as we explore food traditions in areas around the world as far back as history takes us. It is when we are mindful of this very real correlation between food, relationships, and strong memories that we understand how important giving a gift of a meal or a finely crafted treat can be. Sharing food symbolizes a bond of shared resources, time, and commitment. Of course we love to share treats with our family and friends, but even from a standpoint of a business gift, giving an impeccably designed and delicious treat to be immediately enjoyed creates a lasting memory and embeds unconscious as well as conscious messages in the recipient about who you are and more importantly, how much you value them. And isn’t that the whole point of giving a gift?