Father's Day Has Us Thinking About Dad and the Kitchen

As Father’s Day approaches, pictures of Dad grilling steaks while drinking a beer with his buddies spring to mind. However, newer generations may be replacing this quintessential image with a more sophisticated version of Dad: placing the finishing touches on a Boeuf Bourguignon while sipping a wine from the accompanying region. We’ve noticed that men have become more involved in their kitchen makeovers, and think it’s because they are spending more time in the kitchen. We have a few theories as to why:

1. The kitchen has become the heart of the home. Contrary to popular belief this has not always been the case. In the early and mid-twentieth century, kitchens had a utilitarian function and design, serving as a “work-place” for stay at home moms. When the work was done, the family gathered in a separate, aptly named, “family room.” However, as women entered the workforce and household chores became divided more equally between the couple, kitchens grew to accommodate families working together. The kitchens became large enough for two or more cooks, enabling men to help their wives prepare the family meal. In addition, the once separate family room became integrated into the kitchen design, allowing children more time with their busy parents. In modern constructions, a large percentage of space is dedicated to these multi-functioning kitchen/dining/family rooms; and an equally large percentage of time is spent there. It’s no wonder Dad feels more comfortable in the kitchen.
2. Men love gadgets. As a result of the expanded size and function of the kitchen, they became more technologically advanced. Large screen TVs, easily viewed while cooking, mean Dad never has to miss the big game while helping out. Computers integrated into the front of the fridge or in the cabinetry allow him to follow along with a cooking demonstration in real time, anytime. While performing these tasks on large, professional-grade ranges from names like Wolf, make him feel like a professional chef.
3. Men follow trends. Let’s face it, men want to be cool. The rise of cooking shows and macho celebrity chefs probably has much to do with men hitting the gourmet aisles in the supermarket. The panache of the Galloping Gourmet has been replaced by the bravado of Gordon Ramsey coupled with the excitement of game shows. Shows like Iron Chef have turned cooking into a sport, a competition, and men do love sports. Many of these shows, such as Top Chef, emphasize the pairing of food and wine, and restaurants often have pairings on their menus. Cigar bars have given way to wine bars, and men have followed suit. Instead of humidors filled with Monte Cristos, men have begun collecting rare wines, housed in refrigerated storage units from Sub-Zero. Keeping up with the Joneses means keeping up with their wine collection.

Of course, the reason may be as simple as women love men who can cook. So, this Father’s Day encourage Dad’s love of fine food and wine; but, remember, even the best chefs like a night out.