Ugh. People say it all the time. “This is the best” burger I’ve ever had”, “Where’s the best place for pizza?”, and “What’s the best restaurant in Vancouver?”. This issue even features “Best of the City Dining”.
Stop. Please, stop.
I’ve ranted before about why the words “the best” are not the best to use, but I think a friendly reminder is in order.
Food is like art. It’s subjective and based on personal taste. You know what you like and like what you like. That’s it. Sure, I could argue why you shouldn’t like it, or where you might be able to find it better, but in the end, you taste what you taste and enjoy what you enjoy. Period.
“The best” is also relative, dependent on what someone has tried, and contextual.
For example, authentic and traditional Shanghainese food in Shanghai tends to be salty and oily. For North American tastes it is usually considered too salty and too oily, but historically the abundant use of oil in Shanghai was a sign of wealth – using it and eating it.
In Vancouver the Shanghainese food may not be as authentic, perhaps with less oil and salt, but it is catered to the tastes of the clientele.
One is not necessarily better than the other, but indicators of what “the best” means varies and doesn’t necessarily hold true to food.
Is “the best” being judged based on authenticity, taste, technicality, creativity, value, etc? The criteria is not always consistent or defined.
Often, these “best of” lists perpetuate “the best” as being the most popular, but “best” and “popular” are not synonymous. There is a pressure of agreeing to what the majority will support or accept, which tends to result in what is currently trending or mainstream.
“Best of” lists are necessary evils. They highlight and help us remember which restaurants and chefs doing well, but they are not necessarily credible resources and often based on opinion.
They are not adding to the discourse, but just summarizing it… unless arguing who should have won counts as “discourse.”
Of course, I’m guilty of using these words, but I’ve really tried to drop it especially when it comes to food. So instead of “the best”, what are some alternatives we can use? “Must try” and “favourite” might not be as good for SEO, which – let’s be honest – is also why these lists exist (how many times have you looked up “best restaurant in X”?).
But they do make more sense.
I have not lost respect for the words “the best”, but I’ve lost respect for how it is used – often without context and reason.
Find Mijune hosting the Rustichella d'Abruzzo Primograno Pasta Party fundraiser for Chef Tina Fineza on Nov. 23. Also follow her culinary adventures in Jerusalem, Israel Nov. 16-23 #FMFinIsrael.
Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.comor follow her on Twitter and Instagram @followmefoodie.
