March: The Meals We Never Forget
Why the most meaningful meals aren’t about the food, but the moments we share.
This journal entry is dedicated to my Bappou Harry, how I miss sitting across the table from you for lunch.
As I sit here at my kitchen bench, sipping tea, the scent of rain still lingers in the air from the past week’s weather. Brisbane has been chaotic - Cyclone Alfred keeping us all indoors, bringing a strange, unexpected pause to life. But in this stillness, a thought has been circling my mind: What makes a meal truly memorable? Not just the food, but the feeling, the moment, the people. The meals that etch themselves into your heart forever.
What Makes a Meal Memorable?
The past week in Brisbane has been a strange one - Cyclone Alfred brought wild weather, forcing most of us indoors. In some ways, it felt like a throwback to the long, quiet days of lockdown. But instead of feeling restless, I found myself reflecting on something much deeper: the power of food in shaping our memories.
Every morning, without fail, I make my coffee and get in the lift. Unannounced, I walk straight into my yiayia’s house. She’s either cooking something at 6 AM or mopping the floors, always in motion. We sit at her round dining table, talking about the weather over our morning coffee. This week, though, each moment felt heavier, richer, like I was soaking it in more than usual.
The storm brought back a flood of memories, particularly of the early days of the pandemic. Not because of the fear or uncertainty, but because those eight weeks were the last meals I ever shared with my bappou Harry before he passed away. When I think back on those days, I don’t remember the news headlines or the restrictions, I remember the meals. Sitting at the table together. The way he used to sneak extra olives onto his plate. The way we laughed over plates of food that might not have been the best I ever made, but were, without a doubt, the most meaningful.
If you asked me about my most memorable focaccia, I wouldn’t tell you about the best-textured or the most perfectly baked one. I’d tell you about the one I made during lockdown, topped with bappou’s favourite olives and cheese - the one we ate together. It wasn’t my best, but it was my most memorable.
Food has this way of anchoring us to a moment. A smell, a taste, even the sound of something sizzling in a pan can transport us back in time. The crunch of yiayia’s golden chips reminds me of childhood summers spent barefoot in her kitchen. The tang of pickles instantly brings me back to our debates over sweet versus sour. The scent of frying onions and herbs signals the start of something comforting, something familiar.
This week, I made sure to cherish every meal with yiayia. We giggled over our mutual love of homemade hot chips as she piled an extra spoonful onto my plate. We bonded over our shared love for pickles as we ate her lentils and rice (though she loves the sweet pickles, which I still can’t get around). I asked her to tell me stories of bappou as we shared her egg and potato salad. And then she told me about my dad’s childhood while she fried up his favourite keftedes, the smell of sizzling meatballs filling the house with warmth.
There is something sacred about sharing food with those we love. It’s an unspoken language, a way of saying, I see you, I love you, I want to nourish you. Whether it’s in the form of a grand meal or a simple cup of coffee, the act of eating together is one of life’s simplest but most powerful joys.
What Science Says About Memorable Meals
It turns out, there’s research to back this up. Studies show that the most memorable meals aren’t necessarily the most extravagant or the ones made by Michelin-starred chefs. They’re the ones tied to emotion, nostalgia, and human connection. A study in Appetite found that the social and emotional context of a meal plays a more significant role in its memorability than the food itself. It’s why a simple meal shared with loved ones can leave a stronger impression than a fine-dining experience.
The Guardian once asked, What makes a meal truly memorable? The answer wasn’t in the ingredients or technique, it was in the stories, the people, and the moments that surround the food. It’s about the way a meal can transport us back in time, how a single bite can bring back the presence of someone we’ve lost, or how a shared table can turn strangers into family.
Dinner With Strangers: Creating New Memories
This reflection has made me even more excited to bring Dinner with Strangers back in April and May. These dinners are about so much more than food, they’re about connection. About sitting at a table with people you may have never met before and leaving with shared stories and new friendships. It’s about creating those moments that will stick with you long after the last plate is cleared.
Because when you think about the meals that have stayed with you, they likely weren’t the ones eaten in a rush. They weren’t the meals you had at your desk, scrolling your phone. They were the ones where time slowed down. The ones where the laughter was loud, where hands reached across the table, where second helpings were insisted upon.
For my Substack community, you get 48 hours of early access before tickets open to the public. If you’ve ever craved deeper conversations, new connections, or simply the experience of an unforgettable meal, I’d love for you to join me.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about what’s on the plate, it’s about the people around it.
A new monthly addition to my Substack! I’m sharing some of my favourite things: from recipes I’m cooking to local gems I’ve loved and a few must-have finds that bring me joy.
Recipe of the Month
Mornings can be hectic, so I’ve been loving these make-ahead breakfast freezer muffins. Packed with fluffy eggs, savory sage and thyme sausage patties, and just the right amount of richness, they’re the perfect grab-and-go option for busy days. Pop them in the oven or microwave, and they taste just as good as fresh. You can find the full recipe here on my website.
Eat Like a Local
This month, I want to spotlight a place I haven’t stopped thinking about - Halse Lodge Restaurant & Bar in Noosa. Tucked away in a lush, tropical setting, it’s the kind of spot that makes you want to linger a little longer, soak in the coastal breeze, and enjoy simple, beautiful food done right. My picks? The Mooloolaba prawn roll, fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavour, and the lamb skewers, perfectly charred and served with all the right accompaniments. If you’re heading to Noosa, this is a must-visit.
Things I’m Loving
Despite the torrential rain, I’m officially in my gardening era, and this month I’m dedicating this section to all the things I love for my garden:
Le Sac Gardening Belt – Functional and stylish, this belt keeps all my tools within reach while looking effortlessly chic.
Cute Aesthetic Gardening Tools – Yes, I did Google aesthetic gardening tools, and no, I have no regrets. Practicality meets beauty.
My New Creepers from Brookfield Gardens – A lush addition to my little green space, making everything feel a touch more magical.
As always, I love hearing from you. Share your thoughts, your March reflections, or let me know if you plan to join Dinner with Strangers or try any of my favourites this month. I’d love to hear from you!
xx Jacqui