January 12th, 2010 by Dawn

I have been looking forward to posting my first profile here on BananaViews – the idea being to highlight food people that I admire, people who inspire me, have influenced my culinary experiences, and who are simply interesting.

Margaret (pictured left) is one of my inspirations. She lives her life with genuine gusto and lots of it. There isn’t much that will stop her from living like that every moment of the day – not even though she’s been suffering from fibromyalgia, which causes severe and sometimes constant chronic pain, for about half of her life.

Margaret was my Aunt, until divorce made her Not-Auntie Margaret, as we joke about these days since technically she is no longer related. She is also Casey’s mom, a docent at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, an undisputed dynamo in her kitchen, which she inherited naturally from her dad, Henry, who in his 80s is still fierce with a wok. I will share some of his recipes in future.

Margaret is also an avid traveler and has logged more miles in the air than most domestic flight attendants. Her next trip will be in Phileas Fogg fashion – an around the world excursion – and knowing Margaret, she will take much more than 80 days to indulge in all the food choices the world offers her.

Margaret is my mentor on how to live life to the fullest. She    has been my guide through good times and bad and most importantly, she is my friend. Margaret and her husband Milo are pictured at right going bananas.

I recently asked Margaret a few food questions. Of course I should have known better than to expect a one word answer from a fellow foodist. Her answers, unedited, below:

1. Last supper question. "If you were going to die tomorrow, what would you want for your last meal on earth?" Hmmmm, I’d have a feast instead of just a simple meal! My 2 favourite words are buf-fet :0) Included will definitely be mangoes from around the world, oysters, prawns, lobsters, Kobe beef, uni, perfectly ripened fruits like strawberries, pears, watermelon, mangosteen, persimmon, coconut, cantaloupe, Hami melon, lychee; “some” veggies, although I can skip them. I’d like to die while eating!

2. Most over-rated food. Very long list! Artisan anything: cheeses from a single cow, or sheep from a single patch, Kobe beef (I know it’s on my last meal wish), organic wine, “raw” food, $15+/lb sea salt, SOME fusion foods, FOAM SAUCE!!!!! Yuck, I don’t want to eat anything that looks like someone spit on my food!

3. Most under-rated food. Another long list! Good, simple, fresh food/fruits: fruits off the tree/vine, fresh green beans, chicken with not much meat but tons of flavour, un-adulterated potatoes; food that tastes like food! I can honestly rant about #2 & #3 since I’ve had all those food items.

4. Favourite breakfast? Mango and/or fresh fruits, with or without nice plain yoghurt, glass of fresh squeezed OJ (preferable squeezed by some hunk’s thighs Ha Ha) and COFFEEEEEE!

5. Midnight snack? That’s almost like a dog’s breakfast for me! Mixed unsalted roasted nuts, good ramen, chicken soup, coffee, hot chocolate, bagel chips; all depends on how hungry I am and how far I have to crawl to where the food is.

6. What’s your favourite food movie? Several. Tampopo, Babette’s Feast, Big Night, Eating Raul, Mostly Martha (German original), Eat Drink Man Woman, The Islands Project (2007 Canadian doc.) etc.

7. What kitchen item can you not live without? Espresso maker/French press. Oh, you mean for cooking?! A good stainless pot, I can cook anything in one pot.

8. How do you take your coffee? Ready for this? Black as the night, strong as sin, hot as hell and sweet (without sugar) as love. Yeah, I like my drinks strong and my men weak ;0)

9. Most memorable meal? Too many to count, some elaborate meals, some simple ones. As far as memory goes, I’d have to say the last “feast” we had with my mother in June, 2009; it was so good to watch her enjoy the food and the company, and to watch her laugh. She died 6 weeks later.

10. What/where do you want to eat next? Next, I want to travel the world for a moving feast. Coming soon to a buffet table near me!!! But first, I’m going to have a pancetta/shallots/red pepper/egg white omelette, and mixed beans salad, with strong coffee all from my kitchen – lunch time!

I’m happy to introduce you to Margaret. She might already know you. As I’ve mentioned, she gets around! We are encouraging Margaret to write a blog during her big global trip. I’ll update with a link when that happens.

Thanks Margaret for being my first profile victim. I hope it didn’t hurt too much.