Prior to meeting Ankhi, the main influence on Cillian's understanding of food has likely been his family's and his friends' cultural and regional food traditions. Growing up in the Midwest, where heavy meals featuring meat and potatoes are common, Cillian may have been exposed mostly to this type of cuisine and may not have had much experience with vegetarian or plant-based meals. This limited exposure may have shaped his understanding and preferences regarding food. However, meeting Ankhi and trying her vegetarian dishes has opened up his palate to new flavors and expanded his understanding of food beyond his previous experiences.