U.K.-born and -raised Paul Aldred is of Jamaican heritage. In this episode of Biscuit Aisle, Paul talks about the influence of his parents' cooking and also how a Jamaican wedding ceremony is followed by a huge and celebratory reception with enough food to feed hundreds of guests for hours.

Whether we're accustomed to wedding receptions like that or not, one thing many of us from different backgrounds have in common is how meals bring people together around a table. Mealtimes can bring harried and busy parents and kids together, and they can also be mutual meeting grounds for opposing parties. Most often, however, mealtimes give us a reason to be together and to forge or strengthen bonds.