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Best of the Spectator

Table Talk: Professor Charles Spence

Feb 13, 2024
Professor Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist at the University of Oxford, talks about his food experiments, working with Heston Blumenthal, childhood experiences with food and their impact, low fruit and vegetable consumption in the UK, comfort foods like spicy pasta, and death row and desert island meals.
33:41

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Understanding the multi-sensory nature of food can enhance the overall eating experience.
  • Leveraging sound and technology, like smartphones, can modify the perception of taste in food.

Deep dives

The Multi-Sensory Experience of Food

Professor Charles Spence, an experimental psychologist and gastro physicist, discusses the multi-sensory nature of food. He explains how food engages all of our senses, including sight, sound, smell, taste, and texture. Professor Spence shares his research on how different sensory stimuli, such as color, sound, and texture, can influence our perception and enjoyment of food. He also discusses collaborations with world-renowned chefs like Heston Blumenthal, where scientific insights have been applied to create unique dining experiences. Overall, the podcast highlights the importance of understanding how our senses interact with food to enhance the overall eating experience.

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