Hi, my name is Ben Peters. I lost my sense of smell about 50 years ago when I was fifteen in a car/bike accident. I was on the bike. And while I can't taste flavor created by smell, I still love cooking and food. I used to own a restaurant (you're saying, how can a guy that can't taste open a restaurant? I was married, she could taste) and made soup everyday. People loved my soups. Why? I knew how to make the soup look good. I knew how to make the texture just right. I knew how to use temperature in my favor. I can't taste aroma but I can taste salt. Just the right amount. Put all those things together, and people with and without smell will love your soup. Throw some garlic and Thyme in, and those with smell will love it even more. 

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 Flavortown is Closed is a space for people with anosmia to share their favorite meals, recipes, and food ideas that they like. Whether you were born without a sense of smell, lost it over time, or are just trying to figure out what’s worth eating when flavor isn’t fully on the menu, you’re in the right place. Here, we swap ideas for foods that bring joy through bold textures, strong tastes, temperature contrasts, and those unexpected eating experiences that still make a meal exciting. Love that tingly Sichuan pepper buzz? Obsessed with the crunch of perfectly crispy fries? Found a food combo that just works? Share it with the community!

Eating with anosmia doesn’t have to be boring—let’s discover the foods that we enjoy.

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So if you could, post what your favorite thing to eat is and why. What's your favorite appetizer? For me, it's crispy chicken wings, a light batter, deep fried. What's your favorite salad? Romaine with everything, cukes, tomatoes, chopped black olives, artichoke hearts, alfalfa sprouts...and fat free ranch dressing. Sprinkle some grated parmesan as well. Main course...spaghetti with mushroom meat sauce or my mom's taco recipe. Dessert? Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Why is their ice cream so good? Ben Cohen, one of the founders...has no sense of smell. He kept telling Jerry, it needs more texture! And a guy with no sense of taste created the best ice cream in the world!

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Let's work together to discover foods that are work for those with anosmia. I've had Indian food that was amazing. I need to find out why. Mexican food is always good, texture, temperature, spice all work together. A hamburger with mayo and cheese and...so many options. A well made, deep dish pizza with...anything. Sushi! I had a tempura shrimp sushi roll that was the best thing I have ever eaten. It's beautiful...visual, the texture was amazing, and everything worked. But then I remember that bone in rib eye that I had at an Italian restaurant.