Why do some people not cook?

More repetition from the AI algorithm. So instead of retreading old ground, today I will reflect on those who do not cook.

My Dad taught me to cook at the age of 9 for two reasons, one timeless and one very much of the era! His first reason for teaching me to cook was that I would always be able to look after myself and my family if I had one. The second was, if I moved in with a woman I would always have the option to move out again rather than being dependent on one! What can I say? It was the 1970s and this was pretty mainstream thinking in the era of carefree bachelors and lounge lizards in the TV of the time!

By the time I was in my late teens I could make a limited range of meals to a reasonable standard. It is a fact that most cooks tend to have their go to meals when they are pressed for time or they are tired. It’s when we have more time and energy that we can spread our culinary wings. I can now cook a huge range of dishes and enjoy the process immensely.

So, why don’t people cook? First of all, it’s because they were never taught or encouraged at home or school. When I was at school, only pupils in Comprehensive schools received cooking lessons and these extended to both girls and boys. At an all boys Grammar school cooking was never even considered and instead we had woodwork and metalwork taught by two unpleasant individuals who gave me a lifelong hatred of DIY! I would have loved cooking classes, but to even mention it would lead to you being considered of a then questionable orientation! Interestingly, everyone I knew in Scouting became good cooks because everyone had to take their turns and, believe me, if you can cook over an open fire you can cook on anything! A cooker seemed like a breeze in comparison to a fire dependent on wind, weather conditions and the efficiency of the other patrol members in building it.

The great thing about cooking is that if you can read you can cook. As we have a very low rate of illiteracy, this means that the vast majority of people in the UK have the capability to learn. Even for those who are illiterate we have YouTube which demonstrates cooking step by step. There really is no excuse not to at least give it a go.

There is an issue in big city flats which are now being built in some cases without kitchens. This is both space saving and driven by the takeaway and Deliveroo culture we have now. However, an air fryer would be a very easy answer to this, and if you can afford a flat in a big city you can definitely afford an air fryer.

Finally, there is the argument that takeaway is simply the easy option. Well, yes it is, but it’s also usually the unhealthy option. Instead of mass produced burgers, make your own using mince, meat or vegetable based, onion, tomato puree, breadcrumbs and an egg to bind it. Add your favourite spices and you have a far healthier and far tastier burger than anything sold in a fast food place or an overpriced burger restaurant. Put it in the fridge the day before and take it out and put it in the oven. Pizzas are even easier. Buy some bases, spread tomato puree, add your toppings, cover it with cheese and put it in the oven or the air fryer and you have a better quality meal and ingredients that you can control.

So, cook for yourself if you don’t already, increase your range if you do and enjoy one of the most significant life skills you can learn.