For the Love of Food - Whistler, BC
At least a few times a year, I find myself driving the Sea to Sky Highway to a special place called Whistler. For years, it has been a haven for skiers and snowboarders seeking a certain lifestyle. A gem tucked away in the majestic mountains of BC, it is a tourist-driven town with a plethora of fine dining choices, 5-star resorts and boutique shops selling “Canadian” souvenirs.
The selection of restaurants in Whistler no doubt reflects the diverse population of its inhabitants and tourists. There is certainly no shortage of the types of food one can find here, but it’s also evident that pubs and fine-dining take the precedence in Whistler. However, being fairly health conscious, I settled on eating fresh, raw seafood at Sushi Village. Simple is definitely more my style.
The popularity of sushi here in the west is something of interest on its own. While like any other “ethnic” food, there are indeed some businessmen who snag popular ideas from culinary fads, and market them to unknowing mainstream customers. However, the intricacy in its preparation, and the unique taste experience of sushi should be noted. Seemingly foreign and exotic, with finely fileted strips of fish delicately laid upon pillows of vinegared rice, vividly colored raw seafood all brilliantly contrasting on another on the plate, the art of presenting sushi is just as important as its taste.
It is said that raw seafood is an aphrodisiac. Many sushi lovers can attest to the pleasures of indulging in an oral sensory explosion of raw fish, popping masago, and tingling wasabi. Something about cool maguro on a warm tongue certainly awakens the senses. Some establishments have even gone as far as serving sushi on the naked bodies of young ladies to pique the arousal experience. The common sushi accompaniments of ginger and wasabi are both “warming” foods that raise the body’s temperature and flush the skin with blood as sexual arousal would.
The process of preparing sushi, as well as the pleasure of eating it is a reflection our very simple human desires. In fact, on a very basic level, the eating itself is to satiate our hunger , but the satisfaction of doing so in such a rousing way no doubt lends to sushi’s popularity.
Camera: Canon 7D, Canon EFS 15-85mm zoom lens
Editing: Final Cut Pro 7.0
Music: The Sushi Club “Tsuki, Part 1”
