Food for thought: humanist naming ceremony over lunch in a restaurant

People don’t often hold humanist ceremonies in restaurants, though there’s no reason why not to. Today I led a baby naming at Julie’s Restaurant & Bar in Holland Park, a quirky venue which can host large gatherings in its beautifully decorated ‘party rooms’. Of course, it also serves food. And this made me think about the coupling of food with speeches, and why we humans respond so appreciatively to it.

Is it simply that it’s thoughtful to feed someone while asking them to listen to a speech? Perhaps we’re just in a better mood when being fed. Whatever the reason, a speech – a ceremony – in which everyone participates in the singular act of honouring a child, provides a wonderful start to any meal. And it’s more nourishing than a breadstick, I think.