What is authenticity? It's a word that, by its very definition means "real" or "genuine." It's a word that makes sense when you're discussing an iconic painting, a Prada bag or an athletic jersey. But is it a realistic term to use to describe food?
We sat down with Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite (co-owners of Batches, Dandan and Fauntleroy), two chefs whose cuisine has come under fire for its authenticity (or lack thereof) to ponder the notion of authenticity.
Does it exist? Does it matter? Or should we all just sit back, relax and enjoy a bit more of that delicious food? Listen in!
Go deeper
Looking to delve in a bit further into the topic of authenticity? Dive into these articles attempting to bring some clarity to the topic:
- "Why hunting down authentic ethnic food is a loaded proposition" by Maria Godoy
- "Authenticity in Food: What defines it and does it matter?" by Surekha Ragavan
- "On gastronomic authenticity" by Raymond Sokolov
And here’s the fascinating article from which we gleaned this week’s Food Porn Minute.
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Got an idea for a topic we should consider for FoodCrush? Want to offer feedback on our latest episode? Email me at lori@staff.onmilwaukee.com. You can also give @FoodCrushMKE a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
