Most of us don't take the time to lean over a dish and take in the smells of the food intentionally. And we miss out.
When you enter a kitchen in which preparation for a good meal has begun, your sense of smell knows right away. But if you've been preparing the food or if you've been in an adjacent room, you can get "numb" to the good smells.
Don't be shy. When etiquette allows, bring your nose close to your food and see if you can pick out what's in it before you take a bite. Breathe in slowly, searching through the scents for a preview of what you're about to eat.
Benefit: Your sense of smell is tied to your sense of taste. You get to begin your enjoyment of the food's flavor without eating it. Being intentional here will give you a greater willingness to be intentional in later steps.
