Welcome back readers, and hello to any new readers. The responses to week 3: "Has feminism gone too far" were fairly light. I expected quite a range of different views and opinions, and in fact was looking forward to it. It seems to me that people might be agreeing with my point of view, but society has people afraid to voice their opinion. If that is the case, you can always leave an anonymous comment. But make sure that you leave something, as I am trying to gauge the general opinions of the populous. In any case, it seems that everybody agreed with me, that feminism has indeed gone too far.
For this weeks topic I thought I would tackle a more playful issue. "Do celebrity chefs have too much power?"
I, like millions of others, have watched television shows such as 'Masterchef', 'Good Chef, Bad Chef', 'Huey's Cooking', 'Alive & Cooking' (my kids favourite) & the current 'My kitchen Rules'. I love cooking shows, and I love seeing the different ideas, techniques and foods. But I cannot stand the famous chef's that we see dictating to us how we 'must' have things done. My pet hate is the humble steak. Every cooking show that you watch will tell you that a steak MUST melt in your mouth and should NEVER be cooked past medium. I am sorry, but I thought that food was something that differs greatly from one person to the next, and I for one like my steak WELL DONE. I do not like having blood squish into my mouth as I chew, nor do I enjoy the taste of it. How dare some stranger tell me that I MUST eat the steak the way that they like, just because they are famous. It is actually better for you to eat a chewy steak, as it excercises the jaw muscles, helps with digestion, and even helps to burn off the calories that you are consuming. I do not feel the need to have something melt in my mouth. I am not an invilid who needs their food pureed. Maybe when I am 90, I will. But until then, I am going to enjoy my healthy jaw muscles, and chew my food.
Another thing that I find annoying with celebrity chefs is the concept of 'resting meat'. I understand all of the theory behind why this is done, but it pisses me off! I have four children, so sitting down to a hot meal is rare. Not to mention that I am a fairly slow eater, so my meat is usually getting a little on the cool side before I get to eat it. If I were to let my steak sit for ten minutes before I ate it, it would be so ridiculously cold! I have always put my meat straight from oven to plate, as by the time I get to eat it, it will have 'rested' anyway. Besides, my priority is heat, not juices. If I wanted 'juicy' meat, I would have made gravy. But no, these celebrities insist that you MUST rest your meat.
On the show 'Good Chef, Bad Chef', the female cook insists that we should only use ingredients based on their health value, never on flavour. She is constantly criticising the other chef for using things based on how they make the food taste, instead of 'how quickly they are absorbed', or 'how it will cleanse your pancreas'. And the frustrating thing is, people are listening to her and doing what she says! These celebrity chefs are in positions of power, having millions hear THEIR opinions. The sad truth is, that they are abusing their power and brainwashing the country. I for one will cook as I see fit, not by how one or two individuals insist on.
If you agree with me, please leave a comment to let know. Especially if you do not agree, leave a comment. It does not have to be long, and it can be anonymous if you wish. But I would love to hear if I am crazy, or if there are others who agree.
-T.J.
