Not All Creativity Is Appetizing To Everyone
For better or worse, most of the food we eat today is because someone used creativity to pair ingredients that otherwise wouldn’t go together.
I’m all about creativity, especially when it comes to food. Most of the food we eat today is because someone used creativity to pair ingredients that otherwise wouldn’t go together. Peanut butter and hamburger? Wonderful. Teriyaki and pineapple? Amazing. Scallops and cream? Made for each other.
However, while there are fantastic food pairings, there are an equal number of creative food experiments that should not exist — or, they at least make us question why they exist. McDonald’s entered the food creativity group chat with their grammatically broken “Land, Air & Sea” sandwich.
Combining the Big Mac, McChicken (do chickens fly?), and Filet-O-Fish, the Land, Air & Sea is a 1,330 calorie masterpiece. The sandwich is part of McDonald’s new “Menu Hacks” line — items you order and then put together yourself. In other words, order three sandwiches, take them apart, and defile your pallet (if you can fit the thing in your mouth).
Granted, I’ve not ordered this stunning work of art. I don’t desire to eat 89% of my daily fat intake in a single sandwich. But, if this looks appetizing to you, then go order before the “Limited Time” runs out.
Regardless of whether you think this sandwich is a good idea (it’s not), it is creative. Someone took the time to experiment and create something new, given the resources available. TikTok creator Danny Kim (@dannygrubs) routinely asks his chef friends to take standard fast-food fare and turn it into something gourmet. Turning a McDonald’s sandwich into Beef Wellington or the Land, Air & Sea are both forms of creative expression — some may even call it art.
Nothing we ever create will land with everyone. Some people will love our creations while others question their mere existence. That’s part of the creative process. What’s essential is fulfilling our creative desire and finding an audience who appreciates our work. Sure, it’d be great if everyone loved our art, but if people question why something was created, it still made them feel something.
Don’t let detractors stifle your creativity, whether it’s food, writing, or another form of art. While it may not be for them, someone else will find it revolutionary.