Taste for Speed

Elena Foster justifies her appetite for life in the fast lane

I love eating fast. Once food is on my plate I need to eat it straight away. I can’t wait. It’s the same with wine. And so I love restaurants and households that serve meals straight, without much delay and I hate restaurants that make a fuss, giving long presentations about the menu and wines, with sommeliers smelling and swilling the vintage right to left, left to right in their mouths…

I also hate dining with people who eat slowly who look at their plate, take a bite, put down the fork, talk, take another bite, pause… Just as they’re thinking about taking their third bite I’ve already finished and I’m angsting about the time I’ll have to wait for them to eat up. My leg jiggles impatiently, uncontrollably, up and down, and I become mute.

But please do not misunderstand me: I adore good food. I prize chefs with deep knowledge of the art of cuisine but who also respect their guests’ time. Ferran Adrià is the king of these. He always has been, even when – more than 20 years ago – he used to prepare the most incredible meals just for friends. We used to sit in the El Bulli kitchen, in Roses, at 2pm, with the summer sun blazing outside, and we’d finally leave Adrià’s table as it was getting dark, after great conversation and laughter blended with the most glorious flavours. One brilliant dish after another, wine after fabulous wine… all prepared by no-nonsense Adrià, and on time. Recently, when he offered to cook dinner for me, my husband and two friends on my birthday, I saw that he is still the same: “Come at 8 o’clock and don’t make any plans until 1am at least, dear Elena. Leave it all to me and I promise you’ll love it.” He knows I cannot stand waiting – and is as impatient as I am. So, being in his hands, the prospect of so many hours eating and drinking did not shock me at all. Every second was memorable. The extraordinary flavours, the sublime bouquet of the wines, the fantastic, quick service. Perfection. Great fun. I showed my gratitude to Adrià by sending him a magnificent book. (For me there are only five really priceless things: love, friends, good food, good wines and good books.)

There’s no doubt that optimism and generosity, a zest for life, love, knowledge, drink and food all make a person more attractive and desirable. But beyond all this, it makes a person live a happier life. And happiness is healthy. To live fast puts one on another level of observation and experience compared to those who choose the path of the snail. There is so much to love, to drink, to eat, to read that the faster we do it the more we can enjoy the short time we have on this plain earth.

Bon appétit!

– Elena Foster is Founder and CEO of IvoryPress (www.ivorypress.com)

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