We have all been there. I call it “stove-side burnout.” There are days when you just don’t feel inspired to do anything in the kitchen other than transfer the takeout from the sagging container. Sometimes those days turn into weeks and those months into years, as was my case.
I went through my entire early adult life with hardly anyone ever knowing I could cook. My parents still think I married a chef because I didn’t have to cook. After all, I certainly did not cook when I went home on weekends because I was there to be pampered after a week’s worth of takeout!
Single life seems to knock the creativity out of any cook. It seems too hard to be inspired to spend time in the kitchen when no one else is there for you to show off on or to simply attest to your culinary dexterity. I mean, what’s the fun in spending hours in the kitchen to get a three course meal that you eat alone? It wasn’t until I moved to a remote island with no fast food that I was forced to re-define cooking and discover its joys-even if I was still cooking for one.
The truth is that cooking is an art of love and food is love’s choicest language. When we spend the energy to buy from farmers, purveyors or good retailers and cook and eat fresh food, we feed that love right into our bodies. But do we need to have company to treat ourselves to a fine meal? Not if we are our own first loves.
This month of February is filled with all sorts of lovey dovey messages “for two.” Dinner “for two.” Wine bar “for two.” Movies “for two.” How about a “free and single” alternative?
Let’s turn it into the Single People’s V-Day, the time to remember that loving you and feeding you well is important enough to do solo. As the wife of a chef, I dine alone on Valentine’s (because countless couples keep him busy), so this year, I celebrate by bringing love into my own kitchen. I am making me a love feast-for one! Why don’t you join in? If you don’t want to be alone, gather your closest single friends and cook a meal together. Play some happy, funky music and celebrate the bliss of simply being alive and having the awareness that being single is enough! Decorate the table and the whole nine yards. Go all out! Nobody deserves a fine meal soaked in love more than you!
If you want to join us on the Single People’s V-Day event, let us know! Share your menus and even your recipes! On V-Day, post your Single People’s V-Day party pics on our facebook fan page. Follow us now! Let the fun begin! Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChefandSteward
Photos: 1.Kathi, Marcella and Kari. Kari and Marcella.
great article kari…and i really do enjoy/appreciate/love food. the website looks great. i wont be doing the single v-day but it doesnt matter from food is involved. i was once single and remember how it all go. anyways, have a yummy day :o)!
Sounds like me! Single on Vday. 🙂 I won’t be cooking tonight, but I will be teaching other people how to cook little nibbles. That’ll have to do until later this week when I get to it!
Well that sounds like a plan! I didn’t get around to cooking either. Had some admin stuff to do then decided to make Jamaican jerk seasoning from scratch and then the time just flew! At least I have a batch of seasoning for a BBQ!