More than a necessity, food can be a way to create a connection to identity, culture, and a sense of belonging. In this study, we investigate the impact of lived experience on the perception of food based on the form, colour, and texture of what is presented to us. These workshops were undertaken in academic settings: a conference on dementia (3 participants) and a design studio classroom (10 participants). Our findings point to the connection between lived experiences and the perception of food. The workshops heightened participant awareness and empathy regarding how food affects memory and emotional well-being, particularly for immigrant older adults living with dementia in long-term care (LTC). The findings contributed to (a) a design brief for culturally specific assistive tableware and (b) suggested that experiential food workshops are a valuable, low-barrier method for enhancing caregiver empathy for improving LTC quality. Further studies will evaluate the resulting tableware design and its impact on LTC mealtime.