Good Food

   Is a good palate something you are born with or something you develop? I can't imagine there are many six year olds out there remarking upon the subtle hints of citrus in the cod crudo. On the other hand though, there are people like myself who can barely taste the difference between a blade of grass and a thin mint (I think its the common earthy flavour). I wish I knew how much of food connoisseurship is learned, then I might know whether there is still hope for a palate hillbilly like me.
   This is not to say that I cannot appreciate fine dining, just that I probably can't appreciate it as much as G. Ramsay himself. But then again I'm not big on cursing at my admirers so maybe its not meant to be. But when people go on about the difference between free-range and oppressed chicken, I can only smile politely and stuff my face to avoid being asked my opinion.
   One could even argue that what I lack in genuine know-how and etiquette, I make up for in making all chefs feel like their food is five-star. I really enjoy food, particularly because I am so cheap and most of my spare cash goes to alcohol over food. So whenever I can get my tiny hands on a morsel, I treat it like its the last thing I'll ever eat (sometimes it might really be the last thing I eat for 24 hours).
   I have a great respect for people who use their superhuman palates to create delicious food that makes the world a better place to live in, really I do. I wish I could count myself as one of those people, but at least I can play the field in terms of "good" and "bad" food.