'Savoring Moments' - Charting Culinary Adventures

Written By: Sandi MacCalla, Founder - LifeSkills Academy ~ 4/15/2024

Hello, fellow foodies and dining wanderers! 👋 Welcome to our virtual bistro, where words simmer, flavors blend, and ideas marinate. We’re thrilled to launch this ‘today-speak’ dining blog—a cozy corner where we’ll explore the art of eating, etiquette, and the magic that happens when forks meet adventures.

Why “Savoring Moments?” Because dining isn’t just about filling bellies; it’s about savoring life’s morsel-sized bites. Whether you’re a seasoned chef, a food enthusiast, or someone who thinks ketchup is a food group (no judgment here), this blog is your reservation at the table of culinary escapades...

1. Dress to Impress (But Keep It Chill)
   • When you embark into a restaurant, it’s a little red-carpet moment, but surprise! The real show begins when you start ordering. The scene: your choices reveal more than just your favorite foods. It’s more like little flavored trailers, mapping out your personality style. So, no tuxedo required—unless you’re dining with James Bond and ‘M.’
     
     
2. Bag and Phone Placement 101
   • Imagine: you’re at a cozy table, when your bag and phone are like, “Hey, we’re part of this too!” But wait! According to the etiquette gurus, tables are all about dishes, utensils, and cutlery vibes only. So, slide those personal belongings to the side of your seat, so they’re having a chill hangout. Your phone can wait—it’s not going anywhere during your culinary voyage – unless an emergency is hanging in the balance. Your courtesy will provide a heads-up of a pending interruption to your tablemates.
     
     
3. Phone Decorum: The Good, the Bad, and the Hangry
   • We’ve all been there—mid-bite, eyes on the screen, and suddenly, our food goes cold. Not cool! If your phone urgently buzzes (maybe it’s your BFF sending you an emergency meme), calmly excuse yourself from the table. Peek at your device, then slide back into the table convo. No one needs a hangry phone, right?
     
     
4. Respect the Food Wizards (a.k.a. Servers)
   • Those folks serving up deliciousness - they’re not Foodbots—they’re hardworking people doing what they do best. So, when you need their attention, channel your inner Politeness Ninja. Instead of saying, “You-Who!”, doing a Royalty Wave, or snapping fingers like a magician, go for the soft-voiced, deep-throated “Pardon me.” It’s way less demeaning. Plus, it won’t accidentally summon a food apparition (unless you’re at a mythical restaurant).
     
     
5. When Complaining, Keep It Classy
   • Maybe the service isn’t top-notch, or your food is playing flavor hide-and-seek. It happens! But here it is: airing your opinions like a reality TV star isn’t the best move. Keep it low-key. No public rants, no rudeness. Just a gentle comment to the server or a discreet chat with the manager. Remember, kindness is the secret spice that mellows the bite.
     
     
6. Cutlery Chronicles: Forks, Knives, Spoons and You
   • When you’re dining in a fancy-schmancy place or even a casual hangout, cutlery matters. Unless they are swaddled in your napkin, start with the utensils farthest from your plate—they’re the opening act for your taste buds. As each course arrives, progress inward. And hey, if you’re a hands-on food explorer (Alter-Native, I’m looking at you), go ahead and feel the flavors with your fingers. No judgment here! But if you’re all about that fork-and-knife, rock it! Just practice your cutlery skills at home – Zig Zag and Continental. You never know when you’ll need to impress during a foodie soirée.
     
     
7. Forks Left, Knives Right (Or Mix It Up, Rebel!)
   • Now, let’s talk cutlery-grip. In the classic Continental (European) way, the fork chills on the left, and the knife hangs out on the right doing a coordinated dance. But wait, in the Zig Zag (American) version, the fork flips tines up, swaps sides and solos after the cut while the knife chills on the top of the plate—it’s a cutlery tango! So, just own it, whether you’re Team European or Team American.

Bon Voyage and Bon Appétit, food-loving friends! 🍴✨

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PS: If you spot any friendly aliens along the way, invite them to connect. Who knows? They might share their out-of-this-world ramen recipe. 👽🌠

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At LifeSkills Academy, we're dedicated to equipping individuals with crucial life skills. Our e-learning classes, led by seasoned business professionals, delve into Etiquette/Social Intelligence, Financial Skills, and Personal Organization. We invite you to explore our classes and join our community of continuous learners. Sign up for newsletters and class notices to stay informed about valuable life skills content. Together, let's build a foundation for success in our lives and our world.

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