Tag Archives: weird habits

Weird Facts: Why My Food Can’t Touch on the Plate

This is a post that has been a long time coming. Not because it’s some deep secret that I’ve held back, but because nobody understands why food on my plate cannot touch. It isn’t a black and white issue; there are many facets to this rule, few exceptions and it is what it is. The photo above is an example of how I could never eat.

I don’t know where this “rule” started or why – but I know that it exists because if two things that shouldn’t touch, do? I won’t eat either thing. Before you ask: yes, I’ll go to buffet restaurants. It just requires many, many, many plates.

Some of the rules within this rule include:

  • Hot and cold foods on one plate must not touch one another;
  • Foods with different sauces may not touch one another, nor may one sauce touch another sauce – Thanksgiving is a big issue, what with gravy and all…;
  • Certain things can touch: for example, carrots can touch corn so long as neither are in a sauce and no carrots end up on the same forkful as corn, or vice-versa; and
  • Bread and buns are not devices used to sop up sauce; they are to be buttered and sit on a separate plate from all other food. There is one exception to this, at a restaurant in Oshawa that makes the most delicious salad dressing ever.

That list is by no means exhaustive, there are other stipulations and rules that come into play regularly.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Josh, you’re a big giant freak of nature.” You’re more than welcome to think that, but I’ve talked to quite a few people who have a similar “issue” as me. I’m used to people making fun of me for this. In fact, during Christmas 2010 my Mom bought me divided plates, thinking it was hilarious. I, however, use them regularly and think they are the best gift I’ve ever been given.

So, there you have it: now you can better understand why my food cannot touch on my plate.