How To Dine More Elegantly

Now that I’m living alone, I’ve noticed that my eating habits have changed a lot. When I was living with my boyfriend during quarantine, I became used to eating 3-course meals for lunch and dinner while drinking wine and chatting about life for 30 minutes. Mealtime used to be an elevated experience before it became eating a pre-packaged bowl of noodles on my couch while watching true crime documentaries. I’ve been slowly upgrading the way that I eat my food so that I can enjoy my meals more fully again. Here are a few simple ways to elevate your meal and dine more elegantly.

1. Prepare a Balanced, Delicious Meal

A simple way to elevate your meal is to prepare it yourself. Find healthy versions of your favorite dishes and start cooking! I also love experimenting with food styling to really level up my chef skills. You will begin to appreciate for your food more, knowing that you prepared it yourself. Cookbooks are a handy tool for discovering new recipes.

2. Find a Comfortable Spot

If you want to enjoy your mealtime more, find a place that you enjoy eating. If you normally eat at the kitchen table, try dining al fresco if the weather is nice. If you eat at your desk, try eating at a local park or simply find a comfortable spot in your school or work place. When I lived in Paris I had the luxury of picnicking in the Jardin du Luxembourg almost everyday since it was near my school. Although I don’t have a beautiful garden down the street of my workplace, I like eating outdoors or sitting near a window to people watch. Wherever you eat, make sure its away from your obligations and someplace that you can enjoy your meal.

3. Fashion a Simple Place Setting

You don’t need every utensil and accessory to create a beautiful place setting that will enhance your experience. If you eat at home, set out a simple place mat and organize the necessary cutlery on top. If you eat at work or on-the-go, bring a small place mat and place your to-go containers and water bottle on top. If you are eating with guests, you can also enhance the table with a small bouquet of flowers, platters for sharing food and other things to elevate the community space. When I bring my lunch to work, I pack a few simple items to create an easy place setting. A small, cotton placemat that I can pack in my lunch tote, quality disposable napkins, silverware, glass food containers, a portable cup for tea for after my lunch. This might sound like a lot, but it takes less than 10 seconds to prepare my lunch, and I love it!

4. Engage in Conversation

Food has long been a sign of community. It is a shame that so many of us rarely share a meal with others. I try to eat with a friend or family members at least a few times a week. It creates a connection over a common meal. Mealtime is also a great time to call or FaceTime friends and families from far away.

5. Set Aside Distractions

I originally considered the advice of putting away electronics while eating. However, I think there are important exceptions to this rule, which is why I think it is better to set aside distractions. Some activities can distract us from fully enjoying our food. In my experience, any activities that require tapping or typing generally keep me from focusing on my mealtime.

I think there are some positive ways of using electronics during meals. For example, I love to watch the morning news while I eat my breakfast in the morning. I almost always watch it from my kitchen table with a delicious bowl of overnight oats. Sometimes I will listen to a short podcast or classical music during my lunch break.

6. Slow Down & Savor

With so many things on the to do list, mealtime is one of the first things we try to optimize. Instead of rushing through your meal, try to slow down and enjoy it. I find that I always feel more productive and refreshed when I eat slowly. It is also great for your digestion and keeps you from overeating. If you find yourself rushing through your meals, try setting a timer so that you are eating your meal for longer.