This article delves into the issue of what is considered ‘authentic’ in regards to restaurant dishes and food. We follow the story of Korean American chef, Jiyeon Lee, who faced criticism on the Food Network’s Chopped for not having a ‘connection’ to her Korean American roots in her cooking. Jiyeon discusses how the concept of ‘authentic’ can limit the creativity of chefs and the variety of dishes that can be enjoyed, as some people may only associate Korean cuisine with chillies and garlic. The takeaway here is that true diversity in cooking and food culture can only be experienced when chefs are allowed to explore different cultures without prejudice or pigeonholing. Read full article here
Oddities
Why Do Modern Pop Songs Have So Many Credited Writers?
The music industry has changed dramatically over the last few decades – with the number of songwriters credited on number one hits more than doubling. This is due to a combination of factors, including money, the computer and a changing definition of what songwriting is. For example, if The Beatles’ classic “I Feel Fine” was released today, it would likely have four writers credited instead of two, due to the influence of producers, samples and interpolations. With the rise of lawsuits, artists now preemptively add songwriter credits to their songs, even if the similarities between their song and the source material are coincidental. It all goes to show that the music industry is becoming more complex and competitive. Read full article here
Merv
March 29, 2023
