What part do you save for last?

[Jenise]

Best as I can tell, almost everybody mentally prioritizes the food on their plate, or in their hand, in some fashion. And generally, that either results in eating the best, most favorite part first when their appetite is the keenest or saving the best bite for last, almost like a reward.

Me? I'm the best-for-last type. I will tend to carve around what I think is the best bite of all, that which will leave me with the most satisfying lingering after taste of anything on the plate--and it might be the crusty edge bit of the potato gratin and not the roast beef--and save that, or if I'm eating say a hamburger and I'm down to the last two bites, I'll pause to judge which of those bites should come last. If there's a crispy edge of toasted bun, that will be last unless it has no meat or cheese attached to it, then I'll eat that first. Probably shouldn't care THAT much, but....

And then there's the ex-friend of mine, let's call her Judy, who,tinged with a bit of Aspergers Syndrome, would take two or three bites of her meal and then suddenly demand three more sprigs of mint or another piece or spoonful of something. She even, until I put my foot down on her doing so again, ran into the kitchen a time or two and filled her own plate with the rest of something without even asking for permission. (Her incredible rudeness is one thing that tubed the friendship.) Hardly a meal passed without some kind of weirdness. It was only toward the end of that friendship that I discovered this behavior was driven, in part, by some bizarre math she did in her head after those first two or three bites in which she sorted out exactly how many bites of each thing on her plate, including some gluttonously large combined forkfuls, would provide her a perfect, balanced meal in which each bite was somehow equal. It wasn't a first or last or even anywhere in between thing.

So the world wants to know: how do you priotize YOUR food?

I just eat around rather evenly. I used to note that Shadow the Wondermutt would always save the best for first.

Well now this is interesting food for thought (pun intended). I chose the 3rd option - depends on the food or the mood because that most often characterizes how I eat, although I don't usually think a lot about it. If two of the items are a meat and a potato, I like to balance it so that I have some of each in each bite. If I run short on one, I'd rather have more potato than meat. I enjoy my hot food "hot", so I'm likely to eat an item that cools off faster and leave something like corn on the cob for last since it holds heat longer. There are some occasions where the best bite for last applies, like a piece of cake with the most icing on it is saved for last. Overall, though, I just eat evenly around the plate enjoying the combination of the different flavors and textures.

I try to harvest evenly, so I have a little bit of each thing left at the end

Interesting ex-friend you had Jenise, I think one meal with her would have done it for me!
I chose the 'changes' option, as don't think I've ever consciously sat there and prioritized what should come first and last, and also, these days of being aware of keeping an "ideal weight", rarely finish an entree and whatever comes with it.

Unless it's a melange dish (like jambalaya or stew) I only take the things that I like, so I've never considered a best part of my meal. However, whenever I am served something unusual, new to me, or prepared in an interesting way I will always taste that thing first, then determine whether I will or won't eat it -- along with the rest of my meal -- no priority.

Whaddup wit Judy?!

I'm mostly like Ian (who I believe must be a little like Judy without the obsessiveness), and a little like Linda too in that I will prioritize a little based on what's going to cool off fastest. I find your way amusing, Jenise, and very well described. (I could picture the perfectly toasted edge of bun.)

Thinking about it now, I don't leave to chance that I will get to enjoy the best part of a meal. We are very sharing with our plates, and if I didn't eat it first, there is a good chance that Len would eat the very bite I might have been saving. (He is definitely of the "I don't care" ilk. For example, he laughs when we split a steak and I feel bad/guilty that he gives me more of the tenderloin if it's a porterhouse.) There also is a good chance that I wouldn't be as hungry for the best part later in the meal. Finally, I think "the best" is usually going to be "the best" when it is first served vs. later in the meal and I want to enjoy it in its prime. Think crusty garlic bread just out of the oven...Mmmm.

And then there's the ex-friend of mine, let's call her Judy, who,tinged with a bit of Aspergers Syndrome, would take two or three bites of her meal and then suddenly demand three more sprigs of mint or another piece or spoonful of something. She even, until I put my foot down on her doing so again, ran into the kitchen a time or two and filled her own plate with the rest of something without even asking for permission. (Her incredible rudeness is one thing that tubed the friendship.) Hardly a meal passed without some kind of weirdness. It was only toward the end of that friendship that I discovered this behavior was driven, in part, by some bizarre math she did in her head after those first two or three bites in which she sorted out exactly how many bites of each thing on her plate, including some gluttonously large combined forkfuls, would provide her a perfect, balanced meal in which each bite was somehow equal. It wasn't a first or last or even anywhere in between thing.

Was this former friend a fan of Chateau Palmer by any chance?

I guess I should vote other, as I generally save Betsy's portions for last.

Actually, I'm like Ian, going around plate trying to even out as much as possible. That's if we're talking about different ingredients. In the case of a hamburger or the like, I never remember thinking about saving a particular bite for last.

[Jenise]

I guess I should vote other, as I generally save Betsy's portions for last.

That's cute!

Actually, I'm like Ian, going around plate trying to even out as much as possible. That's if we're talking about different ingredients. In the case of a hamburger or the like, I never remember thinking about saving a particular bite for last.

I'll eat evenly around the plate, too, during the meal. I've never seen anyone eat in sequence (but of course, someone, somewhere, does). And like others have mentioned I'll be right on anything that's super time-sensitive (garlic bread is a great example, Carrie). But yeah, when it's something like a burger, I won't give it any thought (lest y'all think I'm too obsessive) until I'm down to the last two or three bites, but once there yes, I'll generally make a conscious decision about which bite to save for last.

I can't believe there's anyone else like Judy in the world. And yes, Dave, that's the one. Can't believe you remem...ah, Detroit, a hotel, you, Mr. T, some bad driving. It's coming back to me now.

Typically around. If I can manage it (without looking piggish) I usually like to end up with one of everything on the last forkful, regardless of ingredient.

Actually, I'm like Ian, going around plate trying to even out as much as possible.

Quite the opposite, I tend to eat all of one food item then move on to another item; except bread - if the bread is wonderful I'll have some all through the meal, usually with butter. Sometimes, however, there are flavor combinations that I cannot resist and then I'll put things together to achieve a synergy of flavors.

[Jenise]

Actually, I'm like Ian, going around plate trying to even out as much as possible.

Quite the opposite, I tend to eat all of one food item then move on to another item; except bread - if the bread is wonderful I'll have some all through the meal, usually with butter. Sometimes, however, there are flavor combinations that I cannot resist and then I'll put things together to achieve a synergy of flavors.

Would you have all your food on different plates if you could?

I've never even given this subject a thought. Most times, for dinner, we have some sort of salad, and I will take a bite or two of it first. Then the veggie and lastly, meat. Basically, it has never crossed my mind, I just rotate around the food. On the rare occasions, that I have had multiple desserts, usually at an Easter brunch, I will try two or three small samples of dessert. I just start eating on one of the samples, never thinking about which I want to save for last.
Oh, I really love when a prime rib cut is all crispy around the edges and medium rare in the middle. I try to save some crispy bites for last. This opens up some thought, and now I will be noting to "self" how I do eat.
I have noticed strange behavior with some people on how they eat, now that I am thinking about it. We knew a young man once, who would eat all of one thing on his plate, when that was gone, he'd eat the next thing. I found this really strange.

I also know someone who chops up breakfast foods and mixes them together in one big pile....sort of eating a breakfast casserole, I suppose.

I actually feel quite sorry for Judy, although I'm sure she must have been a pain in the arse to be around. Sadly, people with that sort of compulsive behaviour usually have very little control over it.

I'm with you, Jenise, I'm a save the best for last girl too.

I tend to save the best for last. For instance, if I order a fish fry, I will eat all the french fries first, because I hate cold french fries, then the cole slaw and finally the fish.

I like to mix it up, a bite of this, abite of that, etc. Gail tends to eat one thing entirely before moving on to the next, and if the bread gets soggy, she's mad, because she will NOT eat soggy bread.

if the bread gets soggy, she's mad, because she will NOT eat soggy bread.

I'm with her. I hate soggy bread, too.

But that precludes enjoyment of that great country breakfast, cream gravy and biscuits.

But that precludes enjoyment of that great country breakfast, cream gravy and biscuits.

um...not a fan of that either.

Me neither....I've tried, but I can't see how a dried up biscuit with ugly gravy over the top is appealing. I have a son who loves this dish. I usually make him two of those "Grand" type biscuits that come in that pop can. I have a recipe for sausage gravy that is very tasty...he really enjoys this. Those biscuits are not bad, fresh out of the oven.

Would you have all your food on different plates if you could?

No, I wouldn't go that far, Jenise. I am not at all bothered by different foods touching on the same plate which, by the way, is currently being portrayed in a comic strip in the Wash Post.

Me neither....I've tried, but I can't see how a dried up biscuit with ugly gravy over the top is appealing. I have a son who loves this dish. I usually make him two of those "Grand" type biscuits that come in that pop can. I have a recipe for sausage gravy that is very tasty...he really enjoys this. Those biscuits are not bad, fresh out of the oven.

Would you share your sausage gravy recipe? Hubby likes it, and I would be willing to try it if I made my own. Even thought about working up my own recipe sometime.

Me neither....I've tried, but I can't see how a dried up biscuit with ugly gravy over the top is appealing. I have a son who loves this dish. I usually make him two of those "Grand" type biscuits that come in that pop can. I have a recipe for sausage gravy that is very tasty...he really enjoys this. Those biscuits are not bad, fresh out of the oven.

I'm not talking about a dried-up biscuit. The big, moist, fluffy cathead biscuits like my Grandma made so well. Covered with gravy made with bacon drippings and good whole milk. Absolutely delicious!