Debbie Does Salad

Reading Summary

In Debbie Does Salad, Kaufman compares food porn to pornography and explains how they are intercorrelated. The goal of both is to urge desire and satisfaction through visual pleasure. He focuses on the creation of food centered shows and refers to porn shots and videography that depict the same idea. The reason that Food Network is constantly gaining popularity is due to its ability to create and fulfill a need and satisfaction for the viewer. The setting is clean and inviting and the food created is relayed in a way that emphasizes simplicity and the ability for anyone to recreate the meal. To increase desire, the angle of the food shots is close up and clear to create a mouthwatering sensation.  

Outside Example

This article reminded me of the Tasty buzzfeed videos. These videos start with the finished product to draw attention to the video. The video lasts about 30 seconds in which it shows the entire recipe being completed from start to finish giving off the impression of simplicity. The food is zoomed in and has the perfect editing to induce the visually pleasing effect. I’m always drawn to these videos because they’re short and I belong to a generation obsessed with food and aesthetically pleasing images. Although I have never made a recipe from one of these videos, I watch and save them as if I will and do.

Reading Connection

The Buzzfeed Tasty videos are accomplishing the exact same goal as Food Network in satisfying desires concerning food. Food Network is slightly more personable in that a person is talking to you directly and the Tasty videos are solely food. I believe this is because they are short and want to create an immediate desirable effect to gain attention. Whereas with Food Network shows, the length is extended and therefore the process is elongated. One could say they both share the same outcome but with a variation of plots. Food Network shows build up to the final product whereas the Tasty videos present you the product automatically. The goal of both is to convey a sense of satisfaction through visual images.