Cookin "in", is apparently "out".
Whether it's a lack of time or a lack of skills, fewer people are cooking at home these days.
But a new program hopes to stir up interest in the joys of home cooking. Here to dish out a few tips, is lifestyle expert, TV host and chef, Catherine De Orio.
LTG: Why is it that home cooking shows are more popular than ever, but still, people don't actually do much cooking themselves? How do you plan to get people back into the kitchen?
Catherine De Orio: I think what keeps people out of the kitchen is that they feel like they don't have the time or the know-how. So I am excited to have teamed up with Conagra for the Great American CookIn Challenge and what we are doing is encouraging people to cook in for one week this month. So you pledge to join by going to Twitter & Instagram, use the hashtag #GreatAmericanCookIn and show us what you're cooking.
LTG: That sounds like a lot of fun actually!
Catherine De Orio: Well you cook and the cooking community is so fantastic. We share tips, we tell each other what we did right, what we did wrong...how to fix those mistakes, and that is what is so great about this. Even if you are new to cooking, it's kind of a perfect way to get your feet wet and to meet other people who are also into cooking, and also learn along the way. I think that is a huge part about gaining confidence in the kitchen.
LTG: Absolutely! And I think people will also see that they save money by cooking at home, not that eating out isn't fun but on a regular basis it becomes very costly. The other plus to cooking at home is that the meals are fresh and healthier.
Catherine De Orio: Well that is exactly it. It's healthier and it's less expensive. And if you think about it, when you order out it's usually for just one meal. For the same price you could squeeze a couple of meals out of one trip to the grocery store, especially if you are creative.
LTG: Exactly, and if you have little ones at home it gets them engaged and how to eat properly. Plus, it creates memories.
Catherine De Orio: Absolutely, and for that is one of the most important things. I started cooking myself, because I would cook with my grandmother all the time and in my family, growing up I was allowed to go out and play after school, but I always had to be home every night to eat dinner with my family. That's when you bond. Even if you don't have little ones and you have, what I call the 'urban family' and you just have your friends and your neighbors over. There is something nice about breaking bread, talking about your day and knowing that you cooked something for them.
LTG: One of your senses that brings back the most memories is your sense of smell. And when you walk into the home and you smell something really delicious cooking, there is nothing more inviting or brings back that memory of visiting Grandma. It's important to have this bond with your family. Where can people go to join this campaign?
Catherine De Orio: They can visit our site, Forkful.com, where there are a bunch of my recipes and recipes from others as well.
Thank you Catherine for visiting with LTG today! It has been a pleasure having you with us and spreading the work about the #GreatAmericanCookIn! We challenge you to take the pledge and cook at home for one week this month. Taste the difference and experience all the benefits of a home-cooked meal with the family!
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