Who's the Chef?

*Man, I can't cook to save my life!*

One of my favourite column in a local free daily newspaper is "Budget Tai Tai" where the Hong Kong-based journalist discusses social issues faced in a light-hearted manner.

In a recent edition, she challenged the feminist view that ladies no longer need a reason to learn how to cook. It was a rude shock given that the female journalist is rebuking her own womankind. Well, she brought out a common observation, that many women in the modern society have to juggle the role of a home-maker and a full-time job employee. Given the convenience and affordability of purchasing cooked food in many Asian cities, many working women have argued that there is no call to cook at all - why should they sweat it out in the kitchen after a hard day's work when they can now well afford to pay somebody to conjure up a meal far more tastier than their humble efforts? And why even bother to lift a finger at the kitchen when they have maids to do the "unpopular troublesome task"?   

The journalist went on to question whether women nowadays are getting so used to people (read: moms, domestic worker, or even husbands) cooking for them that they find it seemingly impossible to prepare a decent meal. Trust me, some of my female friends wear their lack of culinary skills almost like a badge of pride. I turn away in disgust as they are so convinced that their academic and professional accomplishements had sufficiently elevated them above all housewifely pursuitism and fully vindicate their inane handicap to keep their house in order. 

Before I sound a bit too chauvanist and insensitive (I don't deny I embrace some conservative values), I totally agree what the female journalist transpired in her article that somehow many women are threading the thin line between cooking as an act of love and cooking as a chore. A certain sub-species of womankind may rave "My mom cooks for me! I can't cook to save my life!", but they simply leave JT rolling his eyes and giving them a demerit point (a big "- 1"). I mean.. Why would you be proud of your lack of ability? I personally know nuts about plumbing, but I don't think you will see me going around bragging about it.

I really hope the recent local health scare caused by a series of food poisoning incidents will galvanise the benefits of home-cooked food. It may be an old wive's tale, but it is also a no-brainer. You know exactly what goes inside the dish, where it has came from and how it is prepared. No second-guessing if the health inspection grading is updated, or if the hawker has washed his hands after visiting the loo.

Can't cook to save your life? Maybe it's time you learn sista, because one day, it just might save your life.