Sunset on Lake Victoria with two boats bobbing on the waves. Taken by Matthew Stephens

Thoughts

Thoughts, direct from the head of Matthew W Stephens. Essays (academic, lyric, memoirs), reports & analysis, ethnography, and randomness.

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The Temptation of Power and Status

Power, colonialism, and the spread of culture are core areas of sociology and have been massive interests of mine. This week, I was privileged to turn those interests into a case study - an exploration of fine dining that I had never before attempted. What you’re about to see is an exploration of the sociology and history behind French haute cuisine, done in collaboration - my first! - with The Temptation, a French restaurant in Da Nang blending classic techniques with local Vietnamese flair.

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