“People who love to eat are always the best people.” The beauty of sustenance is beautifully explained by the American chef, Julia Child.

Food, I may say, is the essential piece of art that makes us smile, unite and give us an identity. Notice how every country has a unique national food, and whenever we see a specific food, we think of that country, consider the Italian pizza, the Mexican taco and the Arabian shawarma. Zooming in, every city also has something special, for instance, Karachi’s biryani, Lahore’s naan khatai, Quetta’s sajji and the famous chapli kabab of Peshawar.

Wherever we go, the food we eat remains in our memories for days, months and even years to come. Oftentimes, the aroma from an unlikely place reminds us of that peculiar time when we had a dish with a similar scent… and suddenly, we are taken back to that particular moment — the laughter, the chats, the joy we shared… or perhaps a sombre moment we spent.

I still remember our family’s beach trip — it was amazing! More so because, that day, my aunt cooked her famous spicy biryani and made cardamom tea. Although it may have been years since that trip, the memory remains as fresh as a daisy, simply because of the food we enjoyed that day.

Let’s take another very common example — our local eastern breakfast: halwa puri. Yes, most of us are so crazy about it that we don’t mind standing in long lines just to get our hands on some. It’s something we look forward to all week, usually as part of a big Sunday family breakfast.

And as we grow older, especially boys, we start having meetups at roadside tea stalls, while girls usually gather at cafes or at each other’s homes. One of the most appealing parts of all these gatherings is the food we share. Whether it’s tea with paratha or a cup of coffee, it adds the perfect touch to our time together.

Then on a special occasion like Eid-ul-Azha, a good BBQ gives us a whole new experience — sometimes hosted at our place, sometimes on our cousins’ or friends’ rooftops. That exquisite feeling has no match.

But in all these, the most special memories are often made during school lunch breaks, when kids sit together and munch on their lunch, or stand in those never-ending queues for the canteen food — a daily struggle! Often times we would end up buying small treats like chewing gum, or candy.

I remember when I was in school, our P.E. teacher used to scold us for chewing gum. And whenever someone was caught, they’d instantly hear a stern, “Spit the gum!” in that strict voice we all dreaded. It was a common rule — chewing gum in front of elders was considered disrespectful, no matter how tempting it was to keep on doing so.

Some of the most unique and cherished experiences include having lunch or dinner with grandparents. The food grandmothers cook is not just delicious — it carries the taste of pure love and care. Whether it’s a quick snack like aloo paratha or a main course like biryani, qorma or karhai, their food always lifts the mood of the children and draws them to sit together, temporarily forgetting any siblings or cousins rivalries. They’ll then keep reminding their mothers just how delicious daadi or naani’s cooking is!

And finally, I’m sure everyone would agree — the best cuisines aren’t made in five-star hotels, but in the kitchens of our own homes, by our beloved mothers. The food she prepares provides more than just nourishment. It brings comfort, lifts our spirits, and often works like a remedy.

Remember the movie Ratatouille? That moment when the stern food critic softens after tasting something that reminds him of his mother’s cooking — it’s so real.

School did teach us the significance of healthy eating and the importance of being thankful for the food we have. But we should also be mindful of how much we eat and avoid wasting it. Remember, food is an essential part of our lives — it not only nourishes us, but also creates happy memories and brings people together.

Published in Dawn, Young World, July 12th, 2025