In my local hometown area, we are on the verge of wheat harvest, if the rain would stop and the ground would dry out. It got me thinking about something in science fiction; in the vast, uncharted reaches of space, humanity has solved interstellar travel, perfected artificial intelligence, and mastered alien diplomacy. But one question remains glaringly unanswered: ‘What’s for dinner?’

Despite the countless technological marvels depicted in science fiction, there’s a surprising lack of attention given to the mundane yet crucial task of feeding people in space. Let’s dive into some of the most iconic examples of this gastronomic oversight, and have a little fun imagining the culinary chaos that might ensue.

The Hunger Games in Space

Take the “Star Wars” saga, for instance. We see epic lightsaber battles, complex political machinations, and alien worlds aplenty. But when it comes to mealtime, things get suspiciously quiet. Sure, there’s blue milk and that curious green substance Luke scarfs down in “The Empire Strikes Back,” but we’re never shown a coherent food system. Does the Millennium Falcon have a galley? How does the Rebel Alliance feed its troops? Are there space canteens, or is it all self-serve freeze-dried rations?

Beam Me Up a Sandwich, Scotty

“Star Trek” is another glaring offender. The replicator technology is an elegant hand-wave to the problem of food supply, conjuring up anything from tea, Earl Grey, hot, to the infamous Klingon gagh. But let’s be honest—where’s the fun in a device that just *makes* food appear? What about the logistics of producing those raw materials? Does the USS Enterprise have a hydroponic bay or a protein resequencer? And why do the replicators never seem to malfunction in hilarious, food-related ways? A pie in the face at warp speed would make for great television.

The Martian’s Potato Plight

On the other hand, “The Martian” gets a gold star for addressing the food issue head-on. Mark Watney’s potato farm is a brilliant (and scientifically plausible) solution to surviving on Mars. But this is the exception, not the norm. Most space-faring heroes seem to get by without so much as a snack break, let alone a comprehensive food system.

Hunger Pangs in the Galaxy

Movies like “Interstellar” and “Gravity” focus intensely on the survival aspect of space travel but gloss over the gritty details of meal prep. We see astronauts grappling with time dilation and orbital mechanics, but rarely with the more immediate concern of what’s on the menu. How does one even cook in zero gravity? Is there a recipe book titled “101 Ways to Cook with Vacuum-Sealed Meals”?

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Alien Cuisine: Not on the Menu

Even in the world of “Alien,” where the crew of the Nostromo faces terrifying extraterrestrial threats, there’s scant attention paid to their dietary needs. A brief mess hall scene is all we get before chaos ensues. It’s a wonder anyone has the energy to deal with xenomorphs on an empty stomach.

A Starving Audience

So why does sci-fi so often skip the food? Perhaps it’s the assumption that advanced technology has solved all our culinary woes. Or maybe it’s just that watching characters eat doesn’t make for thrilling cinema. But for those of us who relish the nitty-gritty details of world-building, it’s a missed opportunity. Imagine the rich storytelling potential in exploring intergalactic cuisine, the cultural significance of food in different species, or the logistical nightmares of feeding a diverse crew on a deep-space mission.

The Final Bite

As science fiction fans, we love to imagine the future in all its complex glory. But let’s not forget the humble meal. Whether it’s a steaming bowl of alien soup or a futuristic twist on mac and cheese, food is a fundamental part of life, even in the farthest reaches of space. So, here’s to hoping that future sci-fi creators give us a taste of what’s on the cosmic menu. Because in the end, even the most advanced civilizations need to eat—preferably something more appetizing than Soylent Green.

Bon appétit, fellow space travelers!

About Leif J. Erickson

Leif J. Erickson is a science fiction and fantasy author from a small farming community in west central Minnesota. Using his time wisely when he was a farmer, Leif developed many ideas, characters, and storylines to create over fifty unique first drafts and outlines for stories. From his start in a small town school, to college at North Dakota State University, back to his family farm, then to the bright lights of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and back to his small farming town, Leif has always had a love of writing.

When Leif isn’t writing he can be found with his wife hiking in state parks, canoeing local lakes and rivers, exploring local and regional ghost towns, experiencing museums, or simply reading or hanging out with friends and family. Leif draws on the local nature and ecology to find inspiration for his writing while he also asks what’s possible for technology and the human race, weaving them together for amazing stories that will stay with the reader for years to come. Leif looks forward to having many novel and story releases in the years to come.

You can see all of Leif’s Books here: Leif’s Amazon Author Page