Unfortunately I was unable to complete the movie all the way through due to technical difficulties with my computer, but I was able to watch enough to get the idea of what the movie was trying to get across.  I think that Mr. Chu’s character was supposed to represent the older generation of Taiwan, and the old traditions of the Taiwanese people.  Through his cooking of traditional food he seemed to by trying to keep the old spirit alive, even as the times were changing.  His daughters, who were more involved in the more modern Taiwan represent the modernization and change that has happened, and Mr. Chu’s disconnect with their interests shows the disconnect between the two generations, who favor work over simple things in life like eating a good meal.  They live in a fast paced world while Mr. Chu seems to prefer his slower simple life of cooking food.  It also seemed to by trying to teach a lesson about love and human desires through the daughter’s love interests.  Even the title is a metaphor, which is reiterated later by Mr. Chu’s friend, that eating and drinking are like man and woman.  They are basic desires that go together.