Everything Jim Gaffigan Writes About New England in ‘Food: A Love Story’
For anyone who discovered Jim Gaffigan through his immortal “Hot Pockets’’ routine, it will come as absolutely no surprise that the comedian really, really likes food. In fact, he loves eating so much it’s the subject of his new book, “Food: A Love Story.’’
Gaffigan is bringing his book tour to the Wilbur Theatre on Wednesday night and, surprisingly, the comedian turned author has a lot to say about the New England food scene in his latest offering.
For example, the self-proclaimed “eatie’’ (he doesn’t like the term “foodie’’) pokes fun at Boston’s obsession with Dunkin’ Donuts. The chain gets its own section within the chapter “Doughnuts: The Circle of Life.’’
Gaffigan calls Dunkin’ the “favorite son’’ of New England.
“It seems like New Englanders view that doughnut shop like a relative or a childhood friend. ‘Dunkie’s is awesome. It’s wicked awesome!’ They are so passionate and vocal at times, it makes me question whether Dunkin’ Donuts is making doughnuts or playing for the Red Sox.’’
Jim Gaffigan, the Nostradamus of food? The comedian writes in “Food: A Love Story’’ that he predicted the coming of Dunkin’s “glazed donut breakfast sandwich’’ during his 2006 comedy special.
“Dunkie’s’’ may actually owe Gaffigan a bit of credit. The comedian writes how, in a way, he came up with the idea for one of the company’s more questionable offerings: the glazed doughnut breakfast sandwich.
Gaffigan claims in “Food’’ that he predicted the eventual creation of the item, which for some reason combines a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with a glazed doughnut.
“I came up with this silly concept for my 2006 comedy special ‘Beyond the Pale,’ and then in 2012 Dunkin’ Donuts made me a sort of food prophet by introducing the very food item that I had hyperbolically predicted. I wasn’t surprised really. Dunkin’ Donuts is only responding to the ongoing public desire for innovation and variety in our food. It’s the new American Manifest Destiny.’’
Gaffigan knows New Englanders love their “seabugs,’’ also known as shellfish
Aside from Dunkin’, other aspects of the Boston food scene also make their way into Gaffigan’s book.
The comedian lists the city—as well as most of the eastern seaboard—under the “Seabugland’’ section of his “Food Map’’ of America.
Gaffigan writes how, for local residents, loving shellfish is virtually synonymous with being a New Englander.
“Shellfish are an integral part of the northeastern identity. Whenever someone does a bad Boston accent, it’s either to say ‘wicked’ or ‘lobstah.’ Lobster is as much a part of the New England personality as is the hating on all things New York City.’’
If you want to hear Gaffigan berate Boston’s food scene even more, or just want a few laughs, the comedian has a pair of performances at the Wilbur on Wednesday night,which will be followed by a book signing.
Hot Pockets aren’t included, though.
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