Discover how one chef’s story transformed an ordinary jasmine-licorice risotto into a five-star experience. Dr. Melissa Hughes unpacks the neuroscience of storytelling, expectation, and perception — revealing why guests taste emotion, not just ingredients.

The human brain is wired for story. When you wrap your message in a compelling story—whether you’re serving dinner, teaching students, or giving a Monday morning sales pitch—it sticks. Stories spark sensory regions, emotional networks, even mirror neurons that make us feel as if we’re in the story.