Canadian food (where I live) is very bland. The natural food from our area, when it is interesting, is usually an import from another country.
Every year on August the 1st or near there, one of the city parks is closed off and tents are set up from every country represented in our city. We get to see the colorful (and sometimes very exotic and sometimes very simple) foods from other countries.
We don't imitate those foods, we just take pleasure in their presence. I would say there is between 40 and 50 countries represented.
Having said all of that which is totally not to the point, I think the most engaging and good food is Mexican and Central American food.
The color is so varied: yellow green red sometimes orange and sometimes a dash of blue and wine color. Then there are the beans. I cannot always tell how they have been fixed, but it sure doesn't taste like Delmonte beans out of a can (which satisfies me to be truthful). I have a friend who does magic things with tomatoes and pasta and cottage cheese believe it or not.
The best part is that you have to ask what you've eaten. Generally I don't. Let them keep their mystery.
Think of food as something not just to eat, but what makes it attractive. The mark will come secondary if you just enjoy the idea of eating and how it was accomplished.
