Welcome to Gaia! ::

Hmm, I don't think its so much about the food or hunger at all, but more about being loved and accepted. Food is usually an expression of love or affection and being with people seems to imply that maybe you're desiring that bond with those close to you, family and friends.

I love to cook, not so much for the eating as much as the sense of connection to those Im cooking for gives me. And as for the whole family gathering, I don't dream about it, but my anxiety is there in bold living color, so I can definitely sympathize with your feelings about the confrontations...which can also be brought on by spending time with those close to you.

The unfamiliar people and surroundings could represent your desire to be independant as well as your fear of being completely alienated from the people that you know and rely on. I've actually known people who are terrified of being alone, of course I'm actually ill at ease in large groups of people, including family. But if you've grown used to be around them but are moving towards independence maybe this is your mind's way of trying to adjust to it. Its kind of an attempt to cut the apron strings as they say.

one thing can mean a multitude of different things for different people. Go with the independence theme for yourself. You may be going through an independence stage yourself. Are there somethings in your life that seem to be changing and you feel a bit uncomfortable about?

Loneliness, are you leaving someone that you used to hang out with (or live with) a lot? Or are they/did they leave you?

Confrontational, are you having an issue with maybe your parents about gaining a little more independence (later curfew, new car, going to university/college, different friends that they don't like, etc)?

Joyous, there will always be some amount of joy when gaining independence.

Remember, your dreams could be fairly literal and relate almost identically to your waking life. Dreams are meant to sort those kinds of things out while you sleep so you won't go insane (seriously, if one doesn't dream, they will go insane).

Reoccurring dreams usually means that something is ongoing in your life. It also means that something hasn't been overcome or learned yet.