THE FLAVOR BEHIND THE FOOD

Golden light, velvet chairs and my name on the menu: an evening at Cask and Cannon aboard Disney Cruise Line with the Jolly Good Burger, two days before the guests step aboard.

A French sous chef, a dawn drive in a smoke-filled Fiat, and a bathing suit I never wanted to pack: the morning a young commis learned what respect for food really means.

The last pay-what-you-can Family Meal of the season at Black Joy Kitchen in Oak Bluffs, and why Chef Ting’s table feeds far more than our bellies.

A brigade of characters, a terrifying dress rehearsal, and one golden crouton that flew straight into a Chanel handbag: the night tableside cooking taught me that food can be theatre. Steak au Poivre recipe included.