Were you to open a book on the history of human social interactions and look at the table of contents, you’ll likely find a large proportion dedicated to the contents of tables. So many activities core to our relationships to each other happen seated at tables (or in bed…unless you’re feeling a little adventurous). A table may physically separate those seated but what’s ON that table brings them closer together. Whether it’s with the fun of a game, or a tasty meal, the contents may be ephemeral but the social connections they build create lasting memories.

That may all sound a little self-indulgent for a hobby about moving wooden cubes and fighting pretend monsters. But board games (and the concept of play more broadly) are a valuable tool in building human connections. Whether with old friends, new acquaintances or close family, they can give form to a shared space, especially for those of us who struggle with small talk. Rules provide a common ground of understanding. Unique settings give prompts for a wealth of new perspectives and experiences, all without leaving the table. Now, the value of sharing food should speak for itself, especially if your mouth is full.

At Board Game Feast I’ve attempted to combine the games table and dining table into one memorable experience. I’ve always been especially drawn to the rich thematic settings in games, and board games have become increasingly clever at immersing the player in fun new ways. Physical components like squishy rubber berries engage the physical senses. But even rules or numbers on a card can inspire emotional reactions and a sense of the world you’re inhabiting, like why a monster with 3 armor is so much more intimidating than one with 2. What better way to engage the rest of your senses than with food. I know I’m not the only one to get hungry looking at a pile of Wingspan eggs.

I’ve now been cooking up gaming related treats for over 3 years. It started as a fun gimmick for friends visiting on game days, but evolved over the course of the pandemic as I made so many new friends online. While I’m a home-taught amateur cook, I’m always excited for the opportunity to explore new ingredients, cuisines and techniques. Now I’d love to help inspire others to try something new.

In that time I’ve also started a podcast (The Omnigamers’ Club) with my friend Mark Yuasa where we take a closer look at various board games and video games. In the process of stretching my critical analysis muscles, I’ve become increasingly interested in how games are studied, reviewed and appreciated.

What I’ve regularly struggled with is finding the right format for my personal content. I’ve been inconsistent in updating this blog, largely due to technical limitations. I’ve struggled over the last several years to make time for consistent video content, and have become increasingly disillusioned with the vagaries of social media. Now, I’ve rebuilt the website from the ground up, including a bunch of new features and functionality, including properly formatted recipes. While the current offering is sparse, I’ll be regularly adding new recipes and posts over the coming weeks, including revisiting some of my older creations. But I’m also hoping to use this blog to host some written reviews and continue to explore games analysis. Whether that makes a good flavor combination with my food content remains to be seen, but we’re already talking about a niche within a niche hobby here, so I guess I’m all in.

With all that said, I feel it’s important to note that games aren’t just imaginary spaces, much like food they can be vital in representing culture and identity. They can reinforce or subvert real world experiences, biases and values. I’m incredibly excited to be part of this hobby at a time when it’s becoming more diverse, with an amazing range of designers and creators with a variety of backgrounds and skills. Here at Board Game Feast I hope to highlight that diversity in a respectful and uplifting way.

Welcome to the table!
Daniel