Creating An Experience

From Playlist to Plate | The Art of Pairing Music with Food

November 18, 2024

Music has always been my refuge, an experience where memories and emotions blend. Certain foods also hold that protective property, offering warmth and comfort when the world feels uncertain and cold. Together, these two experiences create something extraordinary: a powerful regiment that nourishes the body and soul. 

This past week, I’ve leaned on lots of music and comforts to stay grounded. Let’s face it: the holidays are here, and the table can quickly become a battlefield of opinions. But here’s the thing—music and food have this rare ability to bridge divides, offering common ground before conversations get heated. After all, the same people debating identity politics of trans people’s gender expression once danced to Boy George and The Cure. This Thanksgiving, I propose a redirect: let the music and food set the tone and remove as much angst up front as possible in order to create a memorable experience this holiday season.

THE ART OF CURATING

Creating a harmonious experience isn’t just about what’s on the plate or playlist—it’s about how they interact. Great music, like great food, evokes emotion and memory. As studies on music psychology suggest, the right soundtrack can profoundly affect how we feel, connecting us on a deeper level.

When curating your playlist or menu, think like a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee or a Michelin-starred chef balancing color, texture, and flavor. Both require a certain finesse to keep things interesting without overwhelming the senses. I think about preparing a meal and playlist in the same way. We eat with our eyes first so color is very important to entice us into the plate. Once we’ve had our eyes take the first visual bit our mouths follow. This is where color, texture and balance really can make an experience memorable. Give it a try:

With Music

  • Color: Imagine your playlist as a movie scene. What emotion or mood does each song set? Like a vibrant garnish, music should enhance the moment.

  • Texture: Layering sounds, much like ingredients, creates complexity. Blend soft acoustic tracks with upbeat tempos for contrast.

  • Balance: Keep the experience dynamic but cohesive. Avoid letting one artist or genre dominate the evening—it’s the playlist equivalent of oversalting your dish.

With Food

  • Color: Bold contrasts delight the eye and whet the appetite. A dish like grilled steak with vibrant asparagus and purple potatoes sparks curiosity, while monochromatic plates of Cod and mashed potatoes feels uninspired.

  • Texture: Combine crisp, creamy, and chewy elements for intrigue. Think of a playlist—varied textures in sound keep listeners engaged, just like textural contrasts on a plate captivate the palate.

  • Balance: Surprise your guests with something unexpected yet harmonious. Whether it’s a hint of citrus or a synth-heavy ballad, the unexpected is where the magic happens.

Ooey Gooey Cheese Nirvana Recipe

To celebrate the season, I’m sharing my version of a classic comfort food—mac and cheese. But this isn’t your everyday dish; it’s indulgence reimagined. Five kinds of cheese lend richness, while swapping elbow macaroni for cavatappi elevates the texture. Every bite of this dish is designed to wrap you in creamy, cheesy bliss. Want the recipe? Download it here.

This Week’s Playlist

In the spirit of 80s nostalgia, I’ve created my second playlist from the cookbook, From Playlist to Plate: The Art of Pairing Music with Food. This playlist blends iconic synth sounds with modern covers of some 80’s tunes that capture the same energy. It’s a nod to the era’s music genres and rise of social movements advocating for civil rights, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. Listen [Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube] and let me know what you think—I’d love to hear how it pairs with your culinary creations.

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