A Table of Gratitude: What Food can Teach us

It's often said that travel is a feast for the senses, but what if the truest feast lies not in exotic flavours but in the quiet moments between them? In Japan, a meal doesn't just appear on the table; it arrives with a deep sense of honour, framed by the gentle words itadakimasu. Meaning ‘I humbly receive’, it’s a blessing not just for the food but for the life and effort that went into it: the farmer, the fish, the cook, and the earth. This gesture is a humble bow to the great partnerships that bring sustenance to our table—a core value of Movimento Metropolitano.

This profound respect is at the heart of the Japanese culture. They think of mottainai, a beautiful expression of regret for not fully appreciating something. It's a sorrow for waste, not just of food, but of the energy and life a single grain of rice represents. They see an empty plate not as a sign of a hearty appetite, but as a silent message of thanks to the person who prepared it. It's a quiet conversation that crosses all language barriers.

We can find this same spirit of gratitude in other kitchens. In Italy, it lives in cucina povera. There's a certain magic in taking simple, humble ingredients - a few forgotten vegetables, a piece of old bread - and transforming them into something magnificent. It’s a celebration of what we have and an inventive partnership with food that ensures nothing is ever truly wasted, much like the artisans we celebrate.

In the kitchens of France, a different reverence takes hold. It's in the quiet discipline of mise en place, or everything in its place. Before a single pan is heated, every vegetable is chopped, every spice is measured. This is a silent act of respect for the food, ensuring each ingredient is treated with care. It’s a way of honouring the craft and celebrating the artisan, a perfect reflection of our own MoM values.

What one person leaves on their plate, another might cherish. What matters is the intention behind the act. The ways we show our appreciation for a meal, whether by finishing every morsel or simply by sharing warmth and conversation around the table, can be a powerful way of building communities and forming like-minded partnerships. It reminds us that every meal is a story, a connection between the hands that made it and the hearts that receive it. And in that understanding, we find a shared table of gratitude that welcomes everyone.