The first step in dealing with an addiction is admitting you have a problem right? Well here I go. I have an addiction to food porn. I’m totally hooked, and I am afraid to say that things are getting worse. My addiction to food porn is actually turning into a uncontrollable obsession with food itself. A few episodes of Nigella Lawson massaging marinade into a leg of lamb used to do the trick, but it doesn't get me off in the same way it used to.
I am in need of a stronger hit, so I reach out to my trusty European enablers…
First up is Ana Ros. I first saw Ana strutting her stuff in the Netflix series Chef’s Table. Inspirational and critically acclaimed food porn - high class, well produced, and a homage to the best food experiences on the planet. Ana has me immediately seduced, and before you know it I am on a plane to Slovenia. Within days I am sitting in her farm house moaning with joy at the taste of her river trout, ‘rabbit that thinks it’s a chicken’, and superb wines. The real climax comes when I discover just how beautiful the country is, and I get the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people. What a delight!
Coming off my Slovenian high I turn to Filippo as I decide to head to Italy. He arrives at our designated meeting spot at a private club in Mayfair in a crisp linen suit and trendy red spectacles. He is one of those addicts that is incredibly discreet and you can't tell by looking he suffers from a similar obession. He has just returned from a secret trip to Sardinia where he drove half a day just to get a hit of the best suckling pig it Italy. Like my other enablers Filippo is a very well connected man and always making offers you can’t refuse. Truffles and red wine in Piemonte? Gorgeous private villas? I’ll will be well looked after? "Trust me I’m an expert"? Who am I to argue with The Boss?
By now I have spent months travelling across Europe embracing my addiction. I start to mellow as I come down off the highest of highs, but I decide to push onto Spain. Valeska and Fernando greet me and immediately their passion has me inspired. As we prepare to head deep into local territory we strategise over a late morning Vermouth and Iberian Jamón. Knowing I am in good hands I embrace everything that is offered, soon finding myself in a trance like state, high from the very best gastronomic experiences in Spain… all in locations visitors rarely make it to.
At 1am in a buzzing tapas bar in Madrid it dawns on me… these enablers have transformed my perception of modern Europe and given me experiences I never thought were possible. These fabulous people are fuelled by passion, and you can't help but fall deeper into an obsession with food as a result.
With an addiction this good I urge you to join us!