What would be your last meal and with whom would you share it?
Daily | July 17th, 2008
We were inspired by Melanie Dunea’s gorgeous and clever book, My Last Supper. We’re all going to have one…
Carrie says: Most of my last meal would come from our garden. Steamed artichokes with lemon sauce, tomato & Bocconcini salad with basil, grilled corn, fresh raspberries with homemade vanilla ice-cream. I would share this sensual delight with all my family, several close cherished friends and most importantly bring back my deeply missed brother Timmy, who died at 21 years old.
Danielle says: This question made me really teary, actually. Don’t even want to picture it. (But if anyone wants to invite me to their last meal, I’m so there to say grace and DJ.)The copyright of the article What would be your last meal and with whom would you share it? in Daily is owned by Carrieanddanielle.com. Permission to republish What would be your last meal and with whom would you share it? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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July 17th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Starter: fresh, warm vegetable salad with gorgonzola. Main: Scottish salmon from a sustainable farm, long-stemmed broccoli, and the most gorgeously fluffy mashed potatoes ever created. Then perhaps I’d tuck into some proper Mexican food (it is the last meal, after all – health be damned!). Shared in small but lively party (preferably on a veranda at Lake Como) filled with my family and my best girls and rock-star guys. A last supper should be about the food, wine, and conversation – the sort of memories that, much like food, leave everyone satisfied but eager for more.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Without doubt I would like to share my last meal with my Mother and children. A last meal is only had by the dying, I mean let’s be real – no one decides to stop eating permanently. I can’t imagine (if given the choice) leaving the living without taking a chance to appreciate time with those I love most. The foregoing makes me thing that this is a silly thing to consider. The question should be, “If you are going about to die and have a chance to plan a last meal….” The moment would be the most important thing, after all it’s my last; the meal’s content would be nearly irrelevant.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:56 am
I’m with Danielle on this one…barely want to ever consider it!! However, if you force me, my last meal would be at Cioppino’s (my favorite place for many reasons!!) and it would last for as long as it would take me to plow through the whole menu (which would be quite awhile!!). I would then begin asking Pino to “create” and I figure I could stretch this last meal to near eternity!! However, I suspect this isn’t in the spirit of the question, so I’ll go with this…I would start with hot wings (my biggest indulgence!), move on to a arugula, pear and stilton salad, braised veal cheek pasta and the biggest porterhouse steak (rare side of medium rare) with melted blue cheese on top, paired with a bottle of 1990 Chateau Petrus. Dessert would consist of a huge box of Bernard Callebaut chocolates, a bottle of 1963 Dow port and a large Cohiba. Besides my wife, kids, Dad and Mom (passed in 1999), I would also invite my friends…it would be a party!!
July 17th, 2008 at 3:52 am
Roast chicken and mashed potato. Shared with my husband, son and sisters.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:09 am
I would love my last meal to be a beautiful celebratory occasion. It would be held in a beautiful space with high ceilings and stunning windows, wood floors and candles. Everyone I love and everyone that’s loved me would be there. The menu would be made up of family favourites and foods people have shared with love in the past. I’d have my mom’s beef and barely soup and my sister Shannon’s stuffed mushrooms, my dad’s chili… There would be champagne. And raspberries. There would be time for sharing stories and hugs and tears and laughter. There would be dancing. There would be love.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:11 am
A complete Thanksgiving dinner that I prepare myself. The meal would be shared with my mother, aunt and uncle, son, high school friends Melanie and Toni, and both husbands (present and ex).
July 17th, 2008 at 4:34 am
oh-I can’t bear the thought of planning such! But….I would have my immediate family and bring back my beloved grandparents. We would have a traditional Southern supper that is not especially healthy but would conjure up pleasant memories from my childhood: salmon croquettes, creamed potatoes, crowder peas, sliced tomatoes, buttered biscuits, slaw. For dessert we’d have peach cobbler with homemade vanilla ice cream. And then we would have coffee, tell stories and laugh for hours!
July 17th, 2008 at 4:36 am
That meal sounds amazing….inspirational! Thanks for sharing!
July 17th, 2008 at 5:25 am
I would hope that I wouldn’t realize it was my last meal so can’t really make a choice there (perhaps I’ve just eaten it!). I would want to be surrounded by my family and loved ones, all of us enjoying each others’ company, oblivious as to the future (or lack of one).
July 17th, 2008 at 5:44 am
I’m with you Jamie.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I would want so much. I would want to have two last meals. One with my family and friends. Pot luck. I’ve always loved pot luck. That would be the first meal. It would be on the Fundy Trail in St. Martins, NB.
The second meal would be in an intimate room with the man I adore. The food wouldn’t matter at all. All that would matter is that it would be his beautiful hands that would be holding mine, his lips that would kiss me goodbye – for now – and his face I would see at the moment of death.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:07 am
This makes me cry – especially Joannie’s response. I know we’d be together again in the new world, but even the temporary leaving would be so painful!
Maybe we could all consider the question “What is your perfect meal?” or something like that. Then we could concentrate on the food!
July 17th, 2008 at 6:09 am
I asked a similar question of my graphic design organization on line group. They all were quite appalled by the question. But I think I pitched it as “If you were on your way to the electric chair what would be your last meal?”… hence my answer (I’m obviously a bad ass and don’t care what I put into my body). Kentucky fried chicken (white meat only), a T-bone steak with HP sauce, mashed potatoes smothered in mushroom gravy, canned spaghetti, some bing cherries, Ruffells potato chips with onion dip, all washed down with a tall cool chocolate milk.
July 17th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Jamie again… forgot to mention who I am having my meal with. Due to feeling shame over my crime, I’d be happy to have my meal with another prisoner who would not judge me!
July 17th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Of course the company at my last meal would be far more important than the meal itself. I can only imagine sharing it with my lovely wife of 24 years. We’d have to have some exceptional classical music gently playing in the background; very formal place settings and a lot of white candles in crystal holders. Just enough wine to taste and a great meal – catered of course by our local Italian restaurant – D’Ambolas. And we’d share this meal on the upper deck, just off our master bedroom suite, so all our fur buddies could be there with us.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Well, I think Danielle has my Mom’s bid for who handles her funeral. I kid you not, one day she looked at me and my sister and said, “If anything happens to me, call your friend who has the garage band immediately. Tell him I want him to play Barbra’s “Evergreen” in Lenny Kravitz’ “Are you gonna go my way” style.” It’s actually in her will…
To business at hand, this is one of those psychological questions my friends and I used to ask each other as teens. When I was younger and trying to sound deeply impressive I would eat something exotic with champagne in an old monastery in France. Regaling Van Gogh and Dali or Jesus and Father Damian.
Now that I am deeply impressive I would have it at McDonald’s. With my fabulous husband and mom and two brothers and their wives and six children and my sister and brother in law and their two children. And about twenty of my closest friends from around the world. I would watch my little nieces and nephews having a blast in the play area and indulge in a rolling around in plastic ball action myself.
I would have sushi brought in from the place next door of course.
And eat all the things off the McMenu I am allergic to.
I would not tell a soul it was my last meal. I would always want them to have the joy of spending time with each other. And have that as a beautiful memory.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:07 am
My grandmother’s mashed potatoes and meatballs, a truly enormous burrito with perfectly blended insides (no bites of rice and nothing else), Lou Malnati’s pizza, and a giant tub of Cherry Garcia, all topped off with a perfect wine that makes me relaxed and randy. I’d spend dinner with all the people I love, and then politely say goodbye so my husband and I could enjoy the effects of the wine until my little death turned into the big one. How’s that for honest and uncensored?
)
July 17th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Two meals – first a breakfast with all of my family and friends at Shopsin’s, a tiny place which will have magically expanded to fit said family and friends.
Then the supper, with just my husband, to include things we made together from whatever is seasonal at the time of my impending demise, and steaks from Peter Lugers, and an assortment of lovely wine, and at least one thing I have never tried before.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:30 am
I really don’t think I would be that “particular” about what it was I was eating as much as who I would be with to experience those final moments….without a doubt it would be my family and all those that I cherish….but I to be honest I don’t want to think about this!!
July 17th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Bridget, Abby and Duncan and my bbq burgers. (In spite of all the current negative press the burger is the best meal)… Perhaps the Dalai Lama for some comfort but he would have to yell and move around the floor with us because the 70s music would be very loud, the dance steps awkward and interrupted by Bridget who would ask me to turn down the volume every 5 minutes.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:48 am
My first instinct is to say my mommy cuz I’d know she’d make me laugh and feel like everything would be ok…even though it is my last meal…but then what about my friends and other family members…I’d want to say goodbye and leave encouraging words….give someone the family tree and my journals so they could pass the history on to future generations….and who cares what we eat…as long as everyone is there….knowing my family…they would probably argue…and I’d have to fight for the attention. LOL I just gotta love em-family and friends!
July 17th, 2008 at 7:54 am
This is a heavy question. I would love to be back home in Brazil surrounded by my friends and family. My father who we lost before my son was bor would sit next to me. My grandmother would also join us with her fantastic traditional Bahian food, my dad would break out in song and we would dance the night away.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:57 am
I too just teared up at the thought of knowing a meal would be my last…not only for not seeing my loved ones any longer, but because I really do love food and eating!
So with that said, I’d also bring back both sets of my Grandparents to share in this earthly meal. I’d ask my Grandma Bessie to make her Spanokopita (for which no one got the recipe for her amazing crust). I’d have my Mom prepare her phenomenal Thanksgiving meal with all of the fixings. I’d want a nice Shiraz to sip and my Sis, Dad, Hubby, In-laws and kids, nieces and nephews and close firneds there. I’d then want the biggest dessert buffet you ever saw with fave Greek desserts, chocolate and nutty things and lots of coffeeeeeee (by the way, I’d have to somehow work some pizza in that meal)!!!
July 17th, 2008 at 8:23 am
a huge juicy burger, beer battered onion rings, hot apple pie ala mode and i’d share it with my beloved husband and daughter. this was a sad question!! yet, now i’m hungry…
July 17th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I am liking who you are more and more. I find that I look for your answer amongst all the other answers. I find you to be uplifting and inspirational! Thank you!
July 17th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I’m not sure what I’d eat, but if I could really share it with anyone it would be with my daughter Millie, and she’d have lived the life that was taken away from her.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Last meal… is that like Last supper or death row? When I leave this realm, some one make a note of what I ate last, just in case it is important and relevant. On the other hand, the ultimate meal for me is a 6 oz. fillet Mignon, rare to medim rare, and all the Alaskan King crab I can devour – with extra butter and lemon. I would love to share this meal with all who would sit in some coastal shack joyously gorging themselves right along beside me!
July 17th, 2008 at 9:43 am
My last meal would be… a bowl of granola liberty yogurt and fruit. A kobe beef steak medalion, mashed potatoes with a thick redwine gravy reduction and…pie and ice cream and a soy vanilla latte from JJ bean.
I would share it with whom evers deep dark eyes I was swimming in at that time.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:45 am
So sorry. Thank you for sharing and for knocking it all into perspective…
July 17th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Champers and scrambled eggs. Everyone’s invited.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I would start with my Mum’s homemade split-pea soup (just thought of it makes my mouth water), then a huge salad of greens straight from the garden with a balsamic dressing, shaved asiago cheese, cranberries and candied pecans, the main dish would be a deep french dish full of steaming Beef Bourguignonne and crusty french bread, finally there would be peruvian flan with fresh raspberries and cream.
I would be surrounded with all of my family and friends (sitting next to my Nin). We would be in England, in the huge back garden of my families home, at the long rough wooden table with the mismatched chairs, candles, greenery all around. The air would be warm and smell of the salty sea and elderflowers and the wood pigeons would be cooing in the distance.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Crispy, buttery, gooey grilled cheese sandwich with a really sharp cheese (Aged cheddar or gruyere), a ripe, red tomato, and avocado, with chunky, fresh tomato soup, a tall, icy glass of “arnold palmer”, (half iced tea/half lemonade), a really juicy peach and a swquare of 70% dark chocolate for dessert. Eaten at a table with my fabulous husband and beautiful daughters, my closest girlfriends, and my parents, with my dog at my feet, wearing my reef flip flops.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Me again, and a correction, if its my last meal, I’m having the whole darned chocolate bar!
July 17th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Jamie ~ I couldn’t have said it better, you are spot on. Thank you
July 17th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Hots dogs, beans and potato salad outside with my grandson, Izak. He loves hot dogs and his “granny” Connie. We’d probably laugh a lot.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I would have good wine, fine cheeses, delicious organic greens and delicate morsels of organic lamb. I would surround myself with my dear friends (goddess group), my dear husband, and a few other choise people in my life and laugh and enjoy every living last second with these people.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:02 am
It would probably be full of sugar.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:08 am
these daily questions have become such a blessing to me, like a prayer of thankfulness. Thank you Carrie and Danielle for inventing such a thing. I am rather hooked.
My last meal I would like to make myself. I would do a traditional Italian dinner with twelve courses, all recipes my Dad taught me, plus a few appies and salads that are more Westcoast, my inventions. I would finish with a dessert my Mom taught me- simple but so reminiscent of childhood: lazy daisy cake. I would feed all the people that were at my wedding, adding my daughter (whom I hope is an old lady by then) and any new dear friends. We’re up to around 500 people now, but hey, I’m Italian, it’s the way we do things. And I always like to have a good audience.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:44 am
What a lovely thing to say! This is just such a wonderful website…love the varying views on life and how to live it. Thanks C&D for creating this. I received my SS book today (!!) after waiting AGES so can’t wait to dive into it. Big love to you, Colette.
July 17th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
My last meal would be a big potluck picnic. A festival of friends and family where everyone brings their favourite homemade dish. Live music a must.
July 17th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
My pleasure! ;D You are gonna love the SS!!! It took me a couple of months to find two words that when put together described my essence and way of being. But, one day the words Romantic Natural just came to me. It was one of those ooooh, aaahhh, aha! things as I looked around my home and saw that those two words were exactly it!
July 17th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
What’s you favorite dark chocolate bar?
July 17th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
LOVE the idea of not telling anyone it’s your last meal. More magic. Less tears.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Power to the white trash meal! You forgot to throw in some Twinkies…or maybe those coconut ball puff things with a shelf life of, I think, 78 years.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Changes every few months. Currently, Lindt Intense Pear. Here’s a site that sells it: http://www.germandeli.com/liinpedach10.html
July 17th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
I would be the chef for my last meal because I love to create in the kitchen. Along with the delight of preparing good food I’d like a kitchen stocked with the best pots, pans and knives, cutting boards and gas range with a hood. The kitchen would be an open model in a hot summer setting and the food bought from a local market – fresh, vibrant… beautiful. There would be several taps of cold beer. I’d BBQ a nice leg of lamb with reduced red wine gravy, roast lemon, rosemary potatoes, simple summer green salad with fresh strawberries, raspberries, apples, pine nuts, peppers and tomatoes. I’d like saute’d portabello mushrooms and freshly baked bread and corn on the cob with butter, salt and pepper. Dessert would be chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream from Casa Gelato. I’d have my whole tribe over and make it as light and as intimate as it could be. Lots of folks playing music, spinning tales, performing skits, eating drinking. I’d want some one on one time with my wife and son, and the atmosphere generally would be connected, intentional and whole. Another fun idea for the ‘ol last supper would be on a canoe trip (with said tribe) with steaks and re-hydrated chili, dried fruit and single malt. Swimming in the river and playing in a falls. Barking at the moon. Bacchanal, a testamant to the raucus tumble that life is…
July 17th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I tend to believe that our last meal is rarely planned. The circumstances tha tmean you know you are going to die in modern society are horrifying to me. Capital punishment etc.
I am remembering a good saying that I read somewhere. Live everyday as if it is your last because one day you will be right. To embrace full hearted, wise and loving living. Every meal could be our last means I can slow down and savour each moment for what it is. A quiet simple lunch alone, a riotous noisy dinner party with lots of friends who helped to prepare the meal, a latte with a teary friend whose beloved cat has just died.
I work as a palliative care nurse and what I have learnt is to be fully in the now whatever that now is. Our last meal is the one we just ate.
Jennifer Sage
July 17th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Anything, shared with my husband and daughter.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
It would have to be a combination of a dinner I had in Montana last weekend with my girlfriends from college, a dinner I had in LA with “the boys” from Boston, a lobster dinner on the beaches of Massachusetts I’ve had with my east coast posse, and a few choice dishes from favorite restaurants in Portland, Oregon that I’ve shared with my friends from grad school. But to give this familiar meal a twist it would have to take place somewhere I’ve always wanted to go, but have not yet visited – on a large patio in a beautiful home on the coast of Mallorca. And who with… that’s easy… all the people I’ve shared those wonderful meals with before.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
My mum wants Amazing Grace to the tune of Gilligan’s Island!? Try getting that one out of your head.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
First I thought my husband, then decided I would have lunch with God, or a close associate of God’s. Who better to explain my miscues, mistakes, screw ups, and of course, all my good deeds. I would hope I could make a pretty good case for getting into heaven. I know it would not be sad, and all the people I care about would know it was a happy day for me.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Everything (almost) from the garden and greenmarket, depending on the season… so I hope it will be harvest time! Caprese salad– Buffalo mozzarella, vine ripened tomatoes, and chopped fresh basil. Peach cobbler made from our very own Lower East Side peach tree, fresh corn on the cob, berries, raw oysters (even though there is no r in August) Chesapeake bay crab. Pan fried rainbow trout from a fresh mountain stream. Amazing wild green salad with mulberry vinaigrette. Great wine. Il Labratorio gellato. It would take place in the Children’s Magical Garden, with Alfredo’s salsa band playing, the whole neighborhood invited, and all of my living beloveds, human and animal.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
amen to that!
July 17th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Oh yes, and nobody but me would know it was my last meal…. that would be crucial. Good idea Andrea Devis.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:46 am
Who am I comfortable enough with to let me be me at my age, and answer in full truth.
My daughter, my friend and my soulmate. And these are the same person and three separate people at the same time.
And that tells what I really should be allowing and disallowing in my life, especially at this stage.
Thank you for this.
July 19th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Well let me see… Red wine, beautiful, flavorful food and surrounded by my family and friends… Hope this is how it shall end!!
July 19th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
-menu would be the summer veggies from my grandmother’s garden
-guests would be my family, especially my children and the Dali Lama.