Maybe I've been reading to much about cheese tasting. Maybe it is to much time watching video's about making the perfect coffee. But for whatever reason, today I feel the need to embarked on a culinary journey to curate the perfect marriage between games and gastronomic delights.
Consider this the food and wine pairing of the gaming world, but elevated to a level worthy of the most sophisticated palate. So, as you read this guide, picture yourself with a vintage glass of Bordeaux in one hand and a meticulously crafted snack in the other. Let’s explore how pairing the right food with the right game can make all the difference. Prepare to get pretentious and snooty as I take this way too far.
Why Pair Snacks with Games?
The "why" is simple: immersive gaming requires complete sensory integration. In the same way that reading Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings gains another layer of authenticity when experienced by the fire in a woodland setting, the food you consume while gaming is part of that immersion. It’s the difference between skimming a story and diving headlong into its world.
Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." For centuries, this quote has been taken as a call to deep, reflective introspection. However, many modern interpretations of this sentiment suggest that it’s not about casting constant doubt on oneself, but rather about striving for a life that’s lived more fully through thoughtful choices. We don’t need to over-examine every moment, but when we pay attention to the details, like what we eat or drink as we game, we add depth and richness to our experiences.
In the context of pairing food and games, this new understanding is precisely what we strive for. It’s not about rigid analysis or overthinking. Instead, it’s about enhancing the pleasure and immersion of a gaming session through a mindful, albeit light, examination of our choices. With the right combination, our senses come alive, making the experience richer and more meaningful, a small but significant step towards the examined, fully-lived life...Playing computer games.
The Art of Pairing
The art of pairing games with food requires a refined and nuanced approach, akin to the deliberation behind selecting the perfect vintage to accompany an elaborate tasting menu. Below, we outline five cardinal principles that embody the essence of high culture. As always, exceptions do exist. However, these guidelines will provide a distinguished foundation on your journey to mastering this elevated art form.
1. Grandeur with Grandeur, Simplicity with Simplicity
Excellence demands equivalence. A triple A title, crafted with exquisite care and attention, deserves nothing less than a premium gastronomic accompaniment, a well-aged single malt or a rich, truffle-infused brie, mirroring the game's sophistication. Conversely, a simple, hastily assembled game finds its match in something equally unpretentious, perhaps a basic, comfortingly familiar crisp. The pairing should reflect the magnitude of the experience presented.
2. Intensity with Intensity, Serenity with Serenity
Let the temperament of the game guide your culinary selection. An adrenaline-infused, pulse-pounding shooter like Doom calls for an assertive, robust pairing, something dark, potent, with a touch of recklessness. By contrast, a meditative, tranquil game is complemented by a beverage that whispers, rather than shouts. A delicate green tea or an infused water, where the simplicity is the statement itself.
3. Harmonise with the Environment
Consider the setting of the game and let it inform your culinary choice. Does the narrative unfold in a sprawling urban expanse, or does it evoke the wild depths of a verdant jungle? Urban escapades yearn for complex, indulgent foods, perhaps an artisanal street dish that speaks to the grit and vibrancy of the city. On the other hand, a lush, nature-bound environment begs for unprocessed, organic delicacies, an evocation of nature’s bounty in its purest form. It is the confluence of place and palate that transforms the experience into something transcendent.
4. Indulgence or Restraint
Games that overflow with content, laden with intricate mechanics, loot boxes, and expansive narratives demand an opulent pairing. Rich, multi-layered dishes, like a creamy beef Wellington or a dense chocolate ganache, underscore the game's decadent nature. Alternatively, games that exhibit finesse through restraint, lean, elegant titles with a precise narrative arc are best enjoyed with equally refined bites. Think a beautifully balanced ceviche or a perfectly ripe piece of fruit that evokes the elegance of simplicity.
5. Align with the Pacing
The tempo of the game dictates the rhythm of the dining experience. A frenetic, fast-paced shooter requires light, readily accessible fare, perhaps an assortment of gourmet crisps or finely spiced nuts that can be enjoyed in swift, satisfying bites. Conversely, a slowly-unfolding, story-driven experience allows for a fuller meal, with each bite taken in contemplation. Consider the textural nuances as well, sharp, crisp textures align with the tension of quick reflexes, while smooth, refined textures serve to mirror the ebb and flow of a more measured gameplay experience.
Example Pairings
Now that you’re equipped with the basics, allow us to illustrate the art of pairing through a few noteworthy examples.
Doom
Released in 1993 by id Software, Doom is considered one of the most influential titles in the history of first-person shooters. Created by the legendary John Carmack and John Romero, Doom broke new ground in terms of immersive, fast-paced, and adrenaline-fuelled gameplay. To honour its revolutionary, aggressive nature, we pair Doom with the Psycho Chocolates Chilli Salted Caramel with Naga Jolokia. This luxurious chocolate is velvety and satisfying, punctuated with pockets of intense heat perfectly mirroring the game's relentless intensity and infernal landscapes. The creators of Doom gave us a taste of Hell, and this chilli-infused chocolate delivers the same escalating spice, a daring reminder of the chaos unleashed by id Software's masterpiece.
The Outer Worlds
Developed by Obsidian Entertainment and released in 2019, The Outer Worlds harkens back to a time when storytelling was at the forefront of RPG design. Helmed by Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky, who were also behind the original Fallout, this game captures a unique blend of humour, retro-futuristic aesthetics, and player-driven narrative choices. The ideal pairing is Fentimans Traditional Victorian Lemonade. With its botanically brewed complexity and a hint of bitterness, this lemonade mirrors the old-world charm of The Outer Worlds. The vintage, crafted feel of Fentimans’ beverages reflects the game’s distinctive, retro-futuristic vibe. Each sip invites you to explore further, evoking the sense of wandering alien landscapes filled with both danger and delight, just as Obsidian envisioned.
Zool
Released in 1992 by Gremlin Graphics, Zool is pure early-nineties Britain distilled into a platform game. Born during the Amiga’s golden years and the great mascot rivalry, it revels in neon colours, confectionery landscapes and the wonderfully unapologetic excess of an era defined by Saturday morning cartoons, corner-shop sweets and afternoons in front of a CRT television. To capture that distinctly British nostalgia, we recommend a Sherbet Fountain accompanied by a chilled bottle of Ben Shaw’s Cream Soda. The ritual of dipping the liquorice stick into the sharp, fizzy sherbet is every bit as playful and delightfully messy as guiding Zool through his sugar-fuelled adventure, while the smooth vanilla sweetness of the cream soda softens the sherbet’s tang without losing that unmistakable old-fashioned sweet-shop charm. Together they recreate the taste of a British childhood, making them a fitting accompaniment to one of the country’s most iconic home-grown platformers.
Bomberman
First released in 1983 by Hudson Soft, Bomberman transformed deceptively simple mazes into exercises in controlled chaos, where a single well-placed bomb could trigger spectacular chain reactions and turn triumph into disaster in an instant. To complement its playful destruction, we recommend Popping Candy paired with an ice-cold bottle of Japanese Ramune. The crackling, fizzing sweets perfectly capture the satisfying cascade of explosions that define every match, while the ritual of pressing the marble into the Ramune bottle feels like the ideal pre-game ceremony. Both are unmistakably playful, slightly mischievous and steeped in Japanese nostalgia, making them a fitting accompaniment to one of gaming’s most enduring multiplayer classics.
To Conclude
With these principles in hand, the world of game and food pairings is your oyster. Take your time, experiment, and let the boundaries blur between culinary indulgence and digital exploration. Remember, this is an art, missteps are simply part of the process. Socrates would remind us that the examined life brings depth. Today, we reinterpret that as taking just a moment to make each gaming experience that little bit more intentional. It’s about joy, connection, and savouring each moment, even if it's just the perfect snack while you level up. Until next time, may your games be rich and your snacks refined.