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What bothers me about this anti-convenience backlash is that it comes from a "stop being lazy and make the time for something I think you should find important"

What bothers me about this anti-convenience backlash is that it comes from a "stop being lazy and make the time for something I think you should find important" approach. If people find value in it, they will take the time to cook. I learned to cook because I found value in it. Others don't, and that's okay. I really like that I can bring something to a pot luck and everyone likes it, or that I can bring joy to a friend for a meal -- that's something I value. If you don't value that, it's fine. We make choices. If you are on this site and value it but don't know how to start, take a class. Most people here are in a place where they can afford six weeks of classes to learn the basics. But doing it out of guilt is silly.

randomgyatwork 10y ago
Good advice on taking a class. What if people haven't thought of the benefits that this article is suggesting?
- ebiester 10y ago
  It's entirely possible, but I've shared my story with hundreds of people and talked with them about cooking. This is less impressive than it sounds -- I've done a fair number of pot lucks and been in a fair number of conversations where I shared the story of how, why, and when I learned how to cook. It happened in multiple stages, but all of them happened when I was out on my own and got tired of eating out. First, with roommates, I learned how to cook the absolute basics. Then, I had another roommate that helped me expand my horizons. He was vegetarian, so I had to learn another set of cooking techniques I hadn't before. Then, I moved into my own apartment where I realized that I couldn't make the food I really wanted to eat. I started watching the food network obsessively, learning everything I could, and trying new things. However, it happened at the phase of life when I was ready for it. And when I've mentioned this in conversation, I don't remember anyone saying, "I don't need to know how to cook" or "I don't need to learn to cook more than the basics." It's "I don't have time," or "I don't enjoy cooking/cleaning," or "I'm too afraid to mess up." As I've grown older, it's changed. I'm around mostly people in their thirties and most people had the same experience as I did where they realized they had reached a point in life where they needed to learn to cook. Now, I realize that I'm a mediocre cook and anyone with a mere week in a decent restaurant is likely a better cook than me. However, I acquired a reputation of a good amateur cook in some circles. I couldn't imagine being in a place where I didn't cook well - it brings so much to my life. I just think the shaming over it all doesn't work because the motivations don't line up.
Beanus 10y ago
> Others don't, and that's okay. Something we too often struggle to accept.

randomgyatwork 10y ago

Good advice on taking a class. What if people haven't thought of the benefits that this article is suggesting?

ebiester 10y ago
It's entirely possible, but I've shared my story with hundreds of people and talked with them about cooking. This is less impressive than it sounds -- I've done a fair number of pot lucks and been in a fair number of conversations where I shared the story of how, why, and when I learned how to cook. It happened in multiple stages, but all of them happened when I was out on my own and got tired of eating out. First, with roommates, I learned how to cook the absolute basics. Then, I had another roommate that helped me expand my horizons. He was vegetarian, so I had to learn another set of cooking techniques I hadn't before. Then, I moved into my own apartment where I realized that I couldn't make the food I really wanted to eat. I started watching the food network obsessively, learning everything I could, and trying new things. However, it happened at the phase of life when I was ready for it. And when I've mentioned this in conversation, I don't remember anyone saying, "I don't need to know how to cook" or "I don't need to learn to cook more than the basics." It's "I don't have time," or "I don't enjoy cooking/cleaning," or "I'm too afraid to mess up." As I've grown older, it's changed. I'm around mostly people in their thirties and most people had the same experience as I did where they realized they had reached a point in life where they needed to learn to cook. Now, I realize that I'm a mediocre cook and anyone with a mere week in a decent restaurant is likely a better cook than me. However, I acquired a reputation of a good amateur cook in some circles. I couldn't imagine being in a place where I didn't cook well - it brings so much to my life. I just think the shaming over it all doesn't work because the motivations don't line up.

Beanus 10y ago

> Others don't, and that's okay. Something we too often struggle to accept.