Our most recent assignment was to write a personal essay on an object or event that we thought was beautiful. This was quite difficult to do without using the actual word "beautiful". Not only did we have to physically describe it and the emotions linked with the experience, but we had reflect on it. The last part of the paper was supposed to describe how this shaped our perception of beauty (i.e. what we have learned about beauty from analyzing it).
Most people decided to write about their experiences at concerts, in nature, or just everyday objects. At first I was thinking about writing about my experience of surfing with the dolphins in San Diego, but I don't feel that emotionally tied with it, especially because it was so long ago. I decided to dedicate my paper to the Umami Burger (which I have yet to post about! Even though I've been there about half a dozen times). I promise, its coming soon. So here it is!
The
Fifth Sense
My
appetite has peaked after a long day of walking on Main Street in Santa Monica. As I sit and wait for the delivery, my
stomach begins to hurt from its feeling of emptiness. Losing all patience, I am constantly turning
my head looking for the waiter to burst through the kitchen doors holding what
I have been craving. My mouth is beginning
to water as I think about the sensation of flavor I am about to
experience. Although I could probably
eat anything after the appetite I have worked up from a long day at the beach,
I know that only one thing could satisfy me.
The
time has come. A hand reaches around my shoulder and delivers
the quintessential meal. Like a pearl
placed on a velvet pillow, the Umami hamburger rests in the middle of a modern square
plate. The plate acts like a platform,
completely clean besides the precious sandwich bestowed on top.
The base is a
fresh baked bun. Slightly toasted, the
sweet bread is just firm enough to have the thick patty lay on top. It remains soft enough to soak up the juices,
but not become soggy. Cooked
medium-rare, the patty can be perceived as dangerous or poisonous to many. The pinkish center emits a flavor matched by
no other combination of ground meat. Glistening,
it oozes grease, unhealthy, but bursting with flavor. The classic hamburger contains a piece of
melted American cheese, formed from artificial flavors. This usually resembles the taste of plastic, glued
to the burnt and dry patty. Instead, the
Umami burger withholds the Parmesan crisp.
The sharp and salty cheese is pressed like a snowflake. Despite the steam coming from the tender
heart, the Parmesan maintains its crunchy form. On top lie the sweet caramelized onions,
roasted tomato, and shitake mushrooms.
Vegetables not found on your usual burger at a neighborhood barbeque,
they bring a unique taste to the table.
The sweetness of the onions perfectly compliments the salty crisp, but
do not overwhelm the other condiments.
The glue holding the masterpiece together is the house made
ketchup. Greatly surpassing the paste
made by Heinz, the Umami ketchup flatters the rest of the ingredients. Of course, it is also perfect for dipping the
succulent sweet potato fries in. Now top
it all off with the other half of the honeyed bun. Its dome like shape could be used as a model
in any televised burger commercial or billboard ad. Stamped on top is the infamous “U”. Reminding me once again, that sitting in
front of me is the fifth sense: the Umami.
I carefully slide
my knife through the middle of the pearl, praying that it wont topple over onto
the stainless plate. Picking up half of
the coveted combination, the crisp finally starts to soften, and a few drips of
grease fall to the plate. But I don’t
care anymore. The bite melts in my mouth
and before I know it, half is already gone.
I try to slow myself down and savor the exquisite experience, but my
stomach craves more. Distracting myself
with a few fries and sips of coke, I can’t help but think about the second
half. I have dreams of this feeling:
tasting everything I want, but still knowing that more remains on my plate. I pick up the second half and already dread
the empty dish. Then its finished. I sit back and take a breath. Even though my hands want more to grab, my
stomach is satisfied. Filled with the
exact ingredients that I craved, that I worked for. This divine combination has completed its
job.
Describing myself
as a “foodie’, the Umami hamburger first came to mind when asked to recall
something that I call beautiful. The physical
qualities of the burger itself make it visually appealing. Every burger that comes out of the Umami
kitchen could be pictured on a billboard.
The taste of the burger could also be described a beautiful sensation to
the taste buds. The individual
ingredients complement each other, creating a masterpiece.
Although I would
agree that both the look and taste of the burger are ravishing, my experience
of eating the meal is what I call beautiful. After working up my appetite, I acknowledged
that I was hungry. I then determined
what sounded appealing to eat. Listening
to my body’s desires and matching that feeling was an act of honoring my
hunger. As an athlete, and working with
a nutritionist, I have learned that my body craves what it needs. Although the burger may have not been the
healthiest item on the menu, I listened to my body with my natural instincts. Eating a salad would not have fulfilled my
stomach and body’s wishes in the same way.
The true beauty lies in the overwhelming satisfaction I experienced
after the burger “hit the spot”. I have
always believed that human body is a temple, and it should be treated and
fueled with what it requires. Our
desires are created naturally, and honoring these wants is an act of
beauty. Walking out of the Umami restaurant
feeling satisfied is a feeling evoking the creation of beauty from human
nature.
 |
| This is the picture I used to show my professor what the burger looked like. |
I usually dread writing assignments, but I actually had a really great time working on this one! I dramatically read it to a few of my friends and they definitely enjoyed it. If I get an A, I definitely know how I will be celebrating ;)
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