With reality TV cooking
shows emphasising perfection,
dining in the Western world has
become somewhat complicated
and superficial. We all face
increased pressure to create
impossible dishes that take
away from the real reason
we choose to dine together.
Even
MasterChef
host Matt
Preston admits to preferring
simple, nourishing meals at
home with his family despite
the TV show’s demand for
perfectly-presented dishes.
On the opposite end of the
spectrum, family meals around
the dining table are few and far
between. Busy schedules get
in the way of quality time and
technology distracts us from
what’s most important.
Research shows that poor
dining choices can have
detrimental effects on health
and overall wellness. The Food
Karma Index, a study conducted
by Mark McCrindle and Joanna
McMillan, found that 36 per
cent of Australians eat most of
Remember the good old days when preparing and cooking food was less
about gourmet meals and more about getting together with friends and family?
It’s time we got back to the true essence of dining: celebrating the company
of loved ones and eating delicious food!
The classic touch
their meals on the sofa while
watching TV. Dr McMillan says
that eating meals in front of the
TV results in overeating and
poor-quality food choices,
as well as an increase in
snacking after mealtime.
The old-fashioned Sunday
roast, a barbecue with friends
or sharing a traditional family
recipe is all about connection
and relationships, with the
element of perfection taking
the back seat.
There are plenty of ways to
engage in meaningful cooking
and dining every day; just
follow these simple tips:
PLAN AHEAD
Spend one day organising your
meals and shopping list for
the week ahead, and have one
designated shopping day. Try
your best to cross everything
off the list to avoid having to
return to the grocery store.
Creating a weekly meal
schedule with your friends and
family will encourage everyone
to meet at the same time every
day to enjoy a meal together.
MIX IT UP
Whether you share personal
recipes or try the tricky
dishes you always avoid in
a cookbook, new recipes
are a great way to bond and
enjoy food. Have a laugh over
seemingly impossible meals
and teach yourself some new
tricks in the process.
CREATE AN
INVITING SPACE
Make sure your cooking space
is clean and tidy to encourage
more cooks in the kitchen.
An inviting, comfortable
dining area will inspire more
conversation and help increase
time spent around the table.
A communal space, particularly
outdoors, is also a great
option. Hold a barbecue by
the beach or a dinner party in
the backyard to encourage a
relaxed vibe with your meal.
By Caitlyn Spanner, Journalist
6
CELEBRATION
