Van Pho On Why Food Is The Bomb Now

A conversation for you, readers. 

Why are cookbooks, food and cooking shows the bomb now? Much more than a passing fancy, food in all its deliveries to the public shows no sign of waning. Van Pho, a dear friend of mine, may just have the answer.

A Post he delivered on Linked In recently:

Over the last few years TV reality cooking shows like Master Chef have become incredibly popular. They’ve attracted a large audience every night the shows are on. And as if it’s not enough being hooked on TV screens to watch their favourite shows at night, I’ve found the conversation goes on in the morning at work about what dishes were cooked or who won the contest last night. The water cooler conversation pit sizzles with who cooked this? Have you tried that? How incredible was that dish? It’s a phenomenon. There are many theories to explain the enduring success and popularity of food shows. And the following theory seems to resonate with most: ‘Reality cooking shows connect with every generation. Not only the older generations, but even today’s youth is inclined to discovering different food. There are so many people today who want to learn more about the current food trends, new flavours and various cuisines.’ I have a different take on this, and would like to throw my theory into the mix. Think about this: these shows gain their popularity because cooking is the last frontier in which people – especially young people – feel in control. Looking around us the world has been turned upside down. Almost everything we used to do or say, even for some traditional beliefs and values has become “politically incorrect”. Consequently people feel a distinct loss of power, subject to forces outside their control. So my theory is, with cooking you decide which ingredients to use, which recipe to cook or invent, which cooking process to choose including preparation and timing, and finally what to put into your mouth. Every step along the way shows you are in control. –Van Pho. IT Consultant, and deep thinker.

What do you think, foodies? Is the cooking and food part of your life the last bastion of power you have? Has the insidious nanny state we inhabit pushed us to seek a small slice of control in baking a cake?

Chrissie