Around the World in 195 meals (no biggie) — An Introduction

Here’s the thing: I don’t cook much. All the usual excuses apply: I’m usually just too tired, or too busy, or both.

I basically eat like a first-year undergrad with no life skills: I have toast for tea more often than I care to admit, and I’ve been known to nuke a bowl of quorn and peas in the microwave for three minutes, throw on some soy sauce and call it a day.

But I’m a food fan! I love food! Trying new restaurants is one of my favourite things to do, and I spend at least 104% of my free time watching food videos on Youtube. So why am I living off toast and peas?? Surely there’s something I can do about that.

Also, I’m nearly thirty. And that means I’m getting that nagging urge to achieve something with my life. It also means I’m at a stage where if I go too long without eating a vegetable, my body throws a little tantrum, and sometimes I get a nice little existential crisis into the bargain. So my toast days are probably coming to an end, if I’m being totally honest with myself.

Anyway. My plan to address all of this is to embark on a poorly thought-out and somewhat impulsive challenge:

I’m attempting to cook or eat a dish from every country in the world.
(based on a list of 195 countries, plus a bonus list of disputed and/or unrecognised states if I get time)

• I’m not setting a deadline on it, because that’s no fun.
• I’m not striving for authenticity, or nutritional balance, or thrift, because I reckon just finishing the challenge will be hard enough.
• But I am a big nerd, so I probably will try to learn something about the countries, cultures and cuisines of places as I go along.
• All in all: I’m just going to cook some food, and I’m going to try to enjoy it.

I’m pathologically incapable of following recipes, inexperienced in most areas of chef-ly interest, and generally a bit of a disaster zone in the kitchen. Stay tuned to watch me muddle my way through!