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Life and Art from FT Weekend

Tim Hayward’s case for gluttony

Jan 30, 2024
Tim Hayward, a restaurant critic and owner of a bakery, challenges the negative perception of gluttony and explores the pleasure of enjoying food. With discussions on the definition and classification of gluttony as a sin, the hosts delve into the tension between taking food too seriously and not taking it seriously enough. They also share their love for indulgent meals from different cultures and discuss the motivations behind gluttonous behavior. Exploring the impact of decision making, the podcast concludes with a reflection on balancing the "robot brain" and "lizard brain" when it comes to gluttony.
16:39

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Gluttony should not be seen as a moral failing and the pleasure derived from indulging in food should be celebrated rather than judged.
  • The perception of gluttony needs to be redefined in the age of obesity and the excess of food, while finding a balance between health consciousness and enjoying indulgent food.

Deep dives

Critiquing the Negative Perception of Gluttony

The podcast episode explores the concept of gluttony and challenges the negative perception surrounding it. The host, Tim Hayward, who runs a bakery, discusses how the pleasure and joy derived from indulging in food should not be seen as a moral failing. He questions why gluttony is considered a sin and suggests that moralizing food enjoyment can hinder the balance between being healthy and having a fulfilling culinary experience. He touches on the contrast between the US focus on health and the UK's more indulgent approach to food.

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