Chapter 2: Elven Cuisine - Heroes' Feast

Chapter 2: Elven Cuisine. The elven feast was held in the courtyard just south of the great golden tower. There were no walls about the platform of crystal and marble which sat atop the highest hill in Qualinost, offering an unobstructed view of the glittering city below, the dark forest beyond, and even the deep purple edge of the Tharkadan Mountains far to the south....Caramon decided he knew why elves were so slender: the food consisted of fruits and vegetables, cooked in delicate sauces, served with bread and cheeses and a very light, spicy wine. Elves have a complicated relationship with their food. As timeless, magical, and ethereal beings who can live for more than 700 years, elves view food as one of the few elements that connects them to mortality. Yet, they love and are ineffably drawn to all good things of the world: nature, magic, art, music, and, of course, food. But not all nourishment is created equal, and elves are especially particular when it comes to what they will put in their bodies. Often seen by outsiders as "picky eaters," their beliefs and life philosophy affect their eating habits every bit as much, if not more so, than their cravings and taste buds. Wholesome And Refined You've probably never seen an elf eat and you probably never will. To be sure, elves will join or even host a supper and the meal in front of them will find a way to disappear over time, but it is rare to ever see an elf actually put a tasty morsel in their mouth. Elves are an intensely private people, and this carries over to every part of their dining. With elves, presentation and etiquette are paramount, and their food is every bit as elegant and graceful as its preparers and consumers. Hand-carved tables adorned with bowls made of marble, gold, and silver set the stage for a visual (and literal) feast of fruits, vegetables, breads, cheeses, and occasional meats-a dream-like display where every imaginable color is represented. Elves pay close attention to what they c...