Edinburgh Napier University

  This study explores the connection of food, and the meal experience with the concept of home. The growth of a foodie culture and the development of technology has witnessed a popularity of more intimate, unique, and personal food experiences. The phenomenon of Network Commensality - ‘social events structured around the meal that are organised online to attract interested individuals or groups’ (Urie, 2016) has seen meals taking place in a range of alternative settings (private homes, studios, churches) rather than the traditional settings of restaurants, cafes and bars. A qualitative approach to primary research (autoethnographic participant observation and interviews) was conducted on Network Commensality and the findings showed a clear and consistent connection between food and the concept of home. Through thematic analysis the key sub-themes of family, place, belonging and identity have been identified as strong indicators of how individuals understand, engage, and communicate through food experiences. The concept of home-food is discussed as a way of understanding how individuals engage with food and the meals they eat, and how Network Commensality can foster memorable food experiences in a more mobile and fluid society.