It is impossible to think what life would be like knowing
that your death was imminent. The ‘Last Meal’ tradition offers death-row
prisoners the chance to request a final meal the day before their execution of
whatever they want*. The tradition is believed to stem from the Christian story
of ‘The last supper’ and is still practiced across America.
Food photographer Henry Hargreaves used the stoppage of the ‘Last
Meal’ in Texas as a way of exploring through photographs what it is that people
want in their last moments of life. He asked whether or not the meals that these
inmates were choosing showed something about their personality and why they
committed the crimes that they did.
“I felt it could be a really interesting idea to try to represent
visually. Researching this topic strangely personalised these people for me and
for a moment was able to identify with them through the common dominator of
food.”
In the series of photographs Hargreaves details the names,
ages, where they are imprisoned, crimes committed and the method in which they are
to be killed. He then details the meal itself and gives some additional information about the person if it relates to the meal they have requested.
This unique experiment and insight inspired me to think about those last few moments and what it is that makes people choose the meal that will be there last. With this in mind I asked people what they would choose as their ‘Last Meal’
and why.
-28
-Sales Assistant
-Brighton
-Enchiladas
-Sponge cake
-Cup of Tea
“It was one of the first meals my girlfriend and I had
together when we first started dating”
Rachel Cummins
-21
-Student
-Sheffield
-Kedgeree with extra sea food
-Chocolate banoffee pie
-Champagne
“My Dad only makes kedgeree on Boxing Day so its something special
to me”
-21
-Florist
-Kent
-Herby lamb steak, sweet potato fries and vegetables
- Milk chocolate fondue with fruit
-Red wine
“I had that meal on a romantic night in with my boyfriend
and I love fruit but also love chocolate so the fondue just makes sense”
Lisa de Garston
-51
-Business owner
-Kent
- Thai Curry
-Toast with butter, brown sugar and lemon juice
-Fresh lemonade
“I don’t really have a favourite pudding but the ultimate
comfort food for me is toast”
Alex Martin
-19
-Student
-Leeds
-Roast Dinner
-Banoffee pie
- Bottled Corona
I found the results heart warming as each person chose their meal to be one that comforts them or has a special memory linked to a loved one, instead of a meal based on greed and price.
Me, Kelly Crampton
-21
-Blogger
-Sheffield
-Steak, served blue with Dauphinoise potatoes
-Cheese board with red onion chutney
-Gin and Tonic
"A cheeky gin has been my saving grace through my degree, whether it’s getting me through a deadline or helping me celebrate the hand-in"
What would your last meal be? Tweet @Kelly_Kooks
*In Florida all meals have to be locally sourced and cost no more then $40. In Oklahoma, cost is limited to $15.
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