Food Memories

Sometimes it's almost as if food has magical abilities.

I'm not talking about the power of alcohol to make me giggle, but about the impact that a meal can have on your temperament, your humour, your memories.

Anyone who gets hangry knows what I'm talking about. How many times have you snapped at someone, been irritated, gotten angry, and then you sit down and have some food and suddenly you feel better.

Everyone knows someone who once the words 'I'm hungry' leave their mouths you have about ten minutes to get them to food before your life is in danger.

Another gift food has is to transport you to a different time and place. The jerk chicken I ate in Jamaica, the mussels in Tenerife, the crepes in Amsterdam: They take me back to holidays past. Crab stick supper, Orkney Fudge, fresh fish and Irn-Bru take me back to my childhood in Shetland. Even the memory of certain foods is like a transporter to specific moments and times.

Then there's the ability food can have to heal. Like when I'm stressed and I reach for a doughnut. Not just that though, but comfort food that makes you feel better and gets you through a hard time.

No one can tell me that food doesn't have magical powers. I've seen its power.