"Satisfied with knowledge, satisfied with the stomach, satisfied with the heart, satisfied with the past"—these phrases represent different kinds of satisfaction, all beginning with food. These four types of satisfaction are the opening lines of the program "Satisfied with the Past," a project headed by experienced producer Kanjana Abdullahahay, a recipient of funding from the Safe and Creative Media Development Fund. The project aims to connect the past to the present through communication, using food as a central tool to highlight various aspects of Thai society's past, including culture and lifestyle. The program begins by exploring the knowledge of the past, then invites viewers to delve into the history of each dish—a history filled with the stories of the people and societies that shaped those dishes. Finally, it takes viewers on a culinary journey filled with satisfying flavors from savory dishes, desserts, snacks, and fusion cuisine that undeniably represent Thai tastes. And, of course, a sense of satisfaction and pride inevitably follows for the viewers as fellow Thais.
“It was our intention to produce a food program that was informative and incorporated history related to food. From our experience of making food and restaurant guide programs, we started to feel stuck. During that time, we wanted to create a food program that was more detailed than what we were doing. This intention was kept until we came up with this project, under the support of the Safe and Creative Media Development Fund. Our intention to create a food program with substance, content, and historical information has now been achieved. And if I were to compare the two productions, between the food guide program and 'Savoring the Past,' the most striking difference is the freedom of expression, which 'Savoring the Past' provides.”
When asked to choose one episode from the 12 episodes of "Im Adit" (A Taste of the Past), Kanjana explained that it was difficult to pick the best one, as every episode was filmed with intention. However, if she had to choose her most personal favorite, she would pick the episode titled "Royal Thai Rice in Iced Water." It impressed her the most because of the story of Khao Chae (rice in iced water), told through the lens of the Mon people in Thailand. It revealed the origins of this Mon dish, its transformation into a royal court delicacy, and its spread from the royal court to become a refreshing dish enjoyed by ordinary people. She was particularly impressed by the episode featuring "Baan Wannakowit," a former royal residence dating back to the reign of King Rama VI. Importantly, the house itself has many stories to tell, even though it's only about a century old. The episode showcased how a single serving of Khao Chae could transport viewers through the culture of the Mon ethnic group and into a contemporary historical narrative, much like the story of Baan Wannakowit. But what shared the collective impression among the project leader and the team was the fulfillment of Kanjana and her team's long-held passion for this project. With its focus on communicating beneficial information about food, the program's concept is "Satisfy your knowledge, your stomach, your heart, and your memories."
