I am not a gourmand.
However, I have experimented that
When a local engineer asked me what the best American food was, I was able to ask him back, "If there is such a dish, tell me about it"
When I was on a business trip to London, I said to a local expatriate, "London's food is pretty cool, isn't it? I was told that "London is not England"
I admit that I'm not a hopeless tastemaker, and,
I believe I can distinguish between what is "good" and what is "not good" and verbalize it.
-----
Recently, I have been watching with great interest the acquisition of Otoya Gohan-dokoro by Otoya Holdings.
The point of contention in this acquisition case was whether to have "completely homemade food" or to outsource part of the cooking (central kitchen).
I really like the set meals at the "set meal restaurant"
When I lived in Kyoto as a student, eating "ginger-grilled set meal" or "saury set meal with natto" at the set meal restaurant "Hiyoshi" at Eizan Electric Railway in Kyoto, Hachiman-mae station, is a reward to study and work.
And, well, I am a bit sensitive when it comes to "set meal restaurant" and "set meal".
-----
I don't insist on "completely handmade".
Even if it's a "central kitchen,", it's good enough for me, as long as I can eat a good set meal.
In short, as long as it tastes good to me, I honestly don't care about the process.
Perhaps "completely handmade" wins in taste, but this is a trade-off for price.
If the difference in taste is unrecognizable to me, the cheaper the set meal, the better.
-----
This is why I am looking forward to the future of Otoya Gohan-dokoro.
Of course, there is always the possibility that I might get a "big miss", but then I just go to another set meal restaurant.