Apple's iPod Shuffle: the next great appetizer?

Although this won't go down as the first restaurant to mix in a little iPod action with the meal, it's fairly safe to say that Fat Duck chef Heston Blumenthal has melded portable audio with dining like no other. Apparently, the culinary guru "wanted to experiment with using sound to enhance a dining experience," which landed a person with a plate full of silver electronics and tangled white cord to compliment the rest of the Sound of the Sea dish. Aside from the food itself, the iPod was pre-loaded with "soothing sounds of the sea breeze and waves gently caressing the seashore," presumably to further enhance the eating experience. Still, we can't really envision how listening to sounds related to our meal would make things more appetizing -- you know, unless deafening moos just jazz up your taste buds when rolling by a burger joint.

[Via Kottke]

[akintz @ Apr 25th 2007 1:22PM]

I think this is a dumb idea. Aside from it not really making anything more "appetizing," the appetizer is the best time for conversation and such outside of after the main course. Why would you want something like an iPod with earbuds taking that over? Maybe a small iPod dock nearby like some restaraunts have done so you can listen to your own stuff... but headphones? At dinner??

[Rich @ Apr 25th 2007 1:45PM]

An iPod dock in the world's second best restaurant (formerly the world's best. Damn that El Bulli in Spain!)? I don't think so.

Trust me. Heston Blumenthal knows what he's doing...

[Mike @ Apr 25th 2007 2:05PM]

Actually this is a cool idea. When it comes to eateries like this you go dining for the experience and that involves more than just taste, but rarely hearing. I think a tactic like this could bump the right dish up to the next level with the right audio.

@Rich: You know The French laundry deserves the first slot... :-)

[macona @ Apr 25th 2007 1:30PM]

What if you are having dinner with someone? Each of you off in your own personal dreamworld? This would be GREAT for a date.

[apeguero @ Apr 25th 2007 1:31PM]

"Will it Blend?" Time for some iPod blendtec action :)

[Jean-Michel Decombe @ Apr 25th 2007 4:35PM]

I cannot speak for El Bulli and Heston Blumenthal but Pierre Gagnaire (#3) is IMHO justifiably above the French Laundry (#4)... The latter is excellent too but not as inventive.

[Spyvie @ Apr 25th 2007 2:08PM]

While I’m sure it really is a culinary masterpiece, the image on the right looks exactly like the gift my dog had left for me on the living room floor this morning. ( I gotta stop feeding her spicy pork rinds)

Having said this, I find the image on the left even more offensive.

[Kev50027 @ Apr 25th 2007 6:54PM]

Honestly, the iPod Shittle is just that, a little piece of crap that's pretty much useless.

If anyone claims to use it for any serious purpose other than smashing it to bits, they're insane.

[Pastor of Muppets @ Apr 25th 2007 2:08PM]

Oh, dude....that looks like something my cat barfed up.

[Whatsizface @ Apr 25th 2007 2:16PM]

They both look like something a cat/dog/kid/Jobs barfed up.

[Cupajo @ Apr 25th 2007 2:49PM]

Oh, please. Plating, presentation, appearance. All of these things can affect the overall success of a dish, but serving it with a frikken iPod is just gimmicky.

[KYDS3K @ Apr 25th 2007 3:30PM]

i bet that cat barf costs $50.

[silvarga @ Apr 25th 2007 3:51PM]

I like to eat out and I have an iPod.
But the only time the two mingle is when I'm eating at my favorite Teriyaki restaurant and absolutely cannot deal with the Leeza Gibbons-sponsored "warm, soothing, soft rock hits of the 70's, 80's and 90's" complete with the sugary letters of inspiration from frequent listeners that the restaurant owners play.

I seriously doubt the "soft sounds of sea breezes and waves" delivered through Fat Duck's iPod shuffles will be able to drown out the unpleasant sounds of patrons chewing and swallowing their own food. Using earbuds while eating only amplifies those sounds. Can you imagine trying to get through a piece of Calimari with what looks like protein shake backwash on your plate paired with the sounds of the sea muffled my your own chewing?

ralph.

[Crayola @ Apr 25th 2007 3:55PM]

My sympathies to the poor cat... But that iPod needs tenderizing and a drizzle of whiskey, serve flambe.

[Jacob Bebe Varghese @ Apr 25th 2007 3:57PM]

Apple product and strange food, my two favorites.

[Eric @ Apr 25th 2007 4:28PM]

This is the classiest thing I have ever heard of. Not.

[Rich @ Apr 25th 2007 5:22PM]

Did you stumble across the photo for this article at the SolidAlliance R&D lab?

If not, I've got a great new idea for a USB enabled product!

[SL @ Apr 25th 2007 5:49PM]

if you haven't been to Fat Duck, you don't understand. Heston is a genius. I am giving him a benefit of doubt. He knows what he is doing.

[benjamin @ Apr 25th 2007 8:10PM]

ewwww,, i wont let people i do know use my head phones,, they go in my ears,, & this chef seriously thinks i want to use headphones that have been used by f*** knows who before me??? not a chance! thats a hygiene issue waiting to explode (& i bet the health inspector was too busy looking for the cat or dog that heaved that mess up to even consider that)

[micklol @ Apr 26th 2007 1:21AM]

artizzze farteezeee lemon squeezzzeeee...

[David @ Apr 26th 2007 4:04AM]

I went to the Fat Duck last month actually. I think we spent about 450 quid over a 3.5 hour dinner for the both of us. Really good - fantastic experience. There was one course I wasn't keen on at all but otherwise I was just wrapped up in all the little touches and flavours. I recommend it.

[Mike @ Apr 26th 2007 10:30AM]

A bit of soothing music hopefully might distract you from the fact that your food looks like something the cat coughed up.