'The preparation of food, the smells and tastes and textures, have accompanied me throughout the journeys of my life. In fact looking back the food memories have become the marker posts - defining boundaries in the years, demarcating the challenges and the changes. 'In times of joy, food has enhanced the celebration, in times of sadness, it has coloured and comforted. And in times of anxiety and emptiness its preparation has given rhythm and meaning to the day, and its offering to others continues to bring a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment. 'When all else fails - cook!' In Wild Blackberries Rosie Belton has written not only her own story but also a social history of food in New Zealand. Decade by decade, era by era, she looks at what we ate, and how that food defined us.
