The Eating Chambers Asks, “What Won’t You Eat in Public?”

What’s up, my Eaters! I hope you all are doing well.

Before we jump in, we’re going to take a brief pause on our supper club series—but don’t worry, we’ll be returning to it soon.

I had a conversation recently that stuck with me.

It started with a simple question.

I asked a group of people if there was a specific food or dish they wouldn’t eat around others unless they felt completely comfortable.

As soon as I asked the question, it sparked a quick succession of responses.

People started snickering.

A few said, “That’s a good question.”

One guy just leaned back, watching, waiting to see how everyone else would respond.

And in that moment, I got really excited.

Because everyone in the room was actually giving it real thought.

The response to that question was so good, I ended up asking it several more times over the next week—in a few different social circles.

And each time, the response was the same.

Every single time.

And the foods people named were the same, too—every single time.

Chicken wings and barbecue ribs were at the top of the list—every time.

Messy sandwiches, fried chicken, and garlic-heavy dishes were right up there, too—every time.

I even had this conversation with Ellie, our editor, as we sat down for lunch one day.

She shared with me that she had decided to pass on the braised goat dish on the buffet—just to avoid the risk of staining her shirt.

And honestly, that’s something I could relate to.

Then I shared with Ellie what I had shared with everyone else.

For me, it’s pho.

If I’m eating pho with you, then you know I’m comfortable with you.

She definitely agreed.

We both laughed about how easily we end up making a mess of our shirts. I’ve learned to just keep a spare close by—just in case.

As I drove home from lunch with Ellie, I found myself thinking about both our conversation and the meal.

The goat was my favorite thing on the menu that day.

It was braised just right—tender, with a rich, flavorful gravy.

It reminded me of the curry goat I’ve eaten my entire life.

Although I know the risk that comes with eating it—especially during the workday, or any time I’m dressed nicely—not eating it has never been an option for me.

I was actually a little sad Ellie didn’t get to try it.

I think she would have really liked it.

I was about halfway home when it hit me—what started as an innocent question between friends, just to spark a little creative conversation, had turned into something much deeper for me.

My thoughts began to drift.

I started thinking about cultures all over the world.

About African, Middle Eastern, and Asian communities where eating with your hands is not only normal—but essential to the experience.

I thought about the many Latin meals I’ve shared—especially in places like Guatemala and Peru—where we broke bread together with nothing but our hands.

I even thought about the countless juicy tacos and greasy, drippy slices of pizza that so many of us eat unapologetically, all over the world.

As a Jamaican, I’ve been eating with my hands—right out of my plate—my entire life.

And that probably explains a lot.

Because while it does take a certain level of comfort for me to eat pho with someone, I’ve never really minded introducing people to it… or making a mess of myself while doing it.

Or with anything else, for that matter.

And it made me wonder—

Why do we so easily accept some forms of culinary messiness, but deprive ourselves of indulging in others because of the fear of how we might look… or sound?

I believe that’s a cultural narrative that should be changed.

Because it’s not really about the food. It’s about comfort. It’s about trust.

It’s about how safe you feel being yourself around the people you’re with.

Because certain foods don’t allow you to hide.

They’re messy.

They’re hands-on.

They require you to let go a little bit.

You can’t eat ribs and still be concerned about how you look.

You can’t eat pho and stay completely composed.

At some point, you have to relax.

You have to lean in.

And you have to be okay with being seen.

And not everybody is ready to do that around just anybody.

But when they are…

That’s when something shifts.

That’s when the meal becomes something more.

More than just food.

More than just conversation.

It becomes connection.

Eaters, at the end of the day, let this week’s article encourage you to be free in your eating.

Eat what you want, when you want.

As my friend Margarette Coleman teaches us in her column, Margar-Etiquette, there is a way to do things.

I’m not advocating for you to go out and be sloppy or nasty.

Let me just encourage you to think preemptively sometimes.

Keep an extra shirt—or even a cover shirt—close by if you think a messy treat is in your future.

If ribs or a sloppy burger are on the menu, keep a good supply of napkins close by.

As a serial messy eater, I’ve also found a lot of value in keeping wet wipes and a little Shout spray on hand at all times.

Don’t deprive yourselves or miss out for the sake of appearances.

Eat what and how you want—and clean up afterwards!

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week. I look forward to being with you again next week. Remember, you can always come see me or my team every Saturday at the Peachtree City Farmers Market. Also, check out the following link to find out about my next supper club experience.

—Chef Andrew Chambers