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Did/do you enjoy cooking for a family?

(61 Posts)
Sago Sat 24-Aug-24 10:45:09

I have a good friend who stopped cooking for her children “as soon as they were old enough to put a pizza in the oven”.

My own mother didn’t enjoy feeding me, everything was served with a big dollop of resentment!

I loved it and still do!
I’m currently working out a meal plan for my daughter,SIL and grandchildren coming next weekend.

It makes me feel sad that my friend still gets no joy from food.

BlueBelle Sat 24-Aug-24 16:20:24

No I ve always hated cooking and I hate kitchens
My eldest daughter also hates cooking but both her kids one male and one female love cooking especially my grandson he cooks for his girlfriend all the time ( doesn’t like washing up though)

Grandma70s Sat 24-Aug-24 16:16:46

I didn’t enjoy cooking at all. My mother was a very good cook, and she would say that we have to do it so we may as well enjoy it. I never did manage to enjoy it. As soon as the kids left home I rejoiced in not having to make proper meals any more. (My husband had died by then.)

As a result, my elder son could cook a proper family meal by the time he was 11.

Norah Sat 24-Aug-24 16:05:41

Cabbie21

It’s ages since I cooked for more than two or three people, and it is mostly just for one, so with a small kitchen I would struggle to be enthusiastic about cooking for the family. It would have to be something tried and tested, with as much prepared in advance as possible.

Yes I enjoy cooking.

For the two of us and for family. As does my husband.

Cabbie21 Sat 24-Aug-24 15:56:09

It’s ages since I cooked for more than two or three people, and it is mostly just for one, so with a small kitchen I would struggle to be enthusiastic about cooking for the family. It would have to be something tried and tested, with as much prepared in advance as possible.

twinnytwin Sat 24-Aug-24 15:47:53

I've cooked meals for over 50 years and the older I get the less I enjoy it. If I had my way, I'd never cook again. My Mum was the same as she got older. Last Christmas I got stuck with having to do the turkey lunch with all the trimmings - I hated every moment but it was delicious.

LadyGracie Sat 24-Aug-24 14:16:22

I don’t enjoy cooking and only do because I have too. I don’t enjoy anything housewifey, I clean wash and all the other tedious tasks. My house is clean because I’m fussy, but I’d rather be knitting, sewing, painting or gardening.

In fact DH said once it would be a good thing if I could knit a cake.

DD and DS are both great cooks.

silverlining48 Sat 24-Aug-24 13:53:11

No, I dont enjoy cooking, happily my dh does, so not wishing to deprive him of joy he does all of it.
I did my turn for over 45 years 😃 and now it’s my time.

sodapop Sat 24-Aug-24 13:51:28

lovesreading

No, I've never enjoyed cooking but I married a chef which sorted that right out!

Same here lovesreading more time for my books now as he does the shopping as well.

LOUISA1523 Sat 24-Aug-24 13:47:22

My DP has always done the cooking....if he's out I just eat toast or cereal....I have no interest......now my children are older they do the roast dinners and family meals

MissAdventure Sat 24-Aug-24 13:34:33

No.

AreWeThereYet Sat 24-Aug-24 13:26:13

I've always liked cooking for the family. I prefer to not have people 'helping' if I'm doing something elaborate but enjoyed having ACs and GCs around to cook otherwise.

DM had no interest - partially lack of funds, partially lack of time with a big family, partially lack of interest.

When I got my first flat in London where I could cook the first thing we cooked was burnt sausage and lumpy mash - only because we'd seen them cooked before so had a vague idea grin

Casdon Sat 24-Aug-24 13:22:46

No, I don’t like cooking at all, I never did. My husband did all the cooking when the children were young, and I did the gardening (my passion) and DIY. I like eating and being healthy though, so that has been the motivator. I now prepare in bulk, batch cook, freeze whatever I can, encourage my now adult children to cook when they are here, and eat out whenever I can to cut down on the effort involved.
Don’t feel sad for we non cookers though Sago, most of us are quite happy regardless.

NotSpaghetti Sat 24-Aug-24 13:05:53

Thanks Jane!
😋

Chocolatelovinggran Sat 24-Aug-24 13:03:00

Oh Greenfinch, I'm with you. Thank goodness for frozen pastry. Made by me, pastry could be a weapon of mass destruction.

Greyduster Sat 24-Aug-24 12:48:02

I cook “autopilot” food these days - a roast dinner for DD and the menfolk every other weekend with a home made pudding (blackberry and apple crumble tomorrow), and, during the football season, lasagne or meat and potato pie for DS after the match. Back in the day I used to cook elaborate, full fig, dinners for up to twelve people and not turn a hair, but now that I live on my own, I’m no longer that organised or, indeed, invested in food or cooking.

Tuaim Sat 24-Aug-24 12:38:39

I will cook for people if I have a new recipe I want to try out and be imaginative. I can cook and I do have taste but can't mostly be bothered with huge menus and lots of people. I thin where am I in all this. Also, if I go to a restaurant it must be top notch. I can cook pub food at home myself. I have to get something out of it.

downtoearth Sat 24-Aug-24 12:31:27

I really miss cooking for my family so like to feed them up when they visit, I do cook in advance so not all discombobulated in the tiny kitchen I have dishing up can be a game of jenga.

Although I like notice of people coming, I love providing food and cooking for them.

Living alone eat well but the enthusiasm for food is lacking at times.

kittylester Sat 24-Aug-24 12:26:33

I love cooking but always have homemade stuff in the freezer for the days when I don't want to.

Iam64 Sat 24-Aug-24 12:06:33

I used to love cooking for a big family or group and just for us. Living alone and health recently left me losing enthusiasm. I’m beginning to plan a meal for friends and I may be Christmas Day host / goof

JaneJudge Sat 24-Aug-24 12:01:23

cheese biscuits recipe I might make some today too 🤩 I use cheddar rather than parmesan. It’s all cheese Grommit

QuaintIrene Sat 24-Aug-24 11:47:21

I never had a family of my own to cook for. When I lived at home I baked weekly, cakes, pies - sweet and savoury. Mother made sure we could all cook and budget with a set amount of money per week. My brothers included.
I do enjoy cooking if I'm in the mood, I prefer fresh food if I can get it and batch cook to freeze for another day.
DH could cook perfectly well but didn't.

paddyann54 Sat 24-Aug-24 11:43:34

I,ve always loved to cook,taught my kids from a young age and my GC ,they could all produce a decent meal before they left primary school.Now I bake with the 4 year old every week and her colour mixing skills for icing is brilliant though she hasn’t managed the right shade of teal she wants.yet.I have my sons family every Sunday for dinner and wee madam,his middle child,loves to show off her mixer skills and help.The benefit is the kids eat anything ,not just so called children’s food.I love Sundays ,it’s the highlight of my week

Jane43 Sat 24-Aug-24 11:37:01

JaneJudge

the do you think there will be any blackberries left? was because I might put my raincoat on and go a walk to pick some smile make more jam...

There are plenty of blackberries on my ‘walking the dog route’, some ripe and some not yet ripe so I would imagine there will be a good supply of blackberries for a few weeks. I used to love making jam but my DH is Type 2 diabetic now so we have had to cut out a lot of things we used to enjoy.

NotSpaghetti Sat 24-Aug-24 11:36:18

OK Sago and janeJudge - now we all want cheese biscuits!

Please send the recipe!!! grin

NotSpaghetti Sat 24-Aug-24 11:34:09

I love big family cooking but am relieved not to have to feed 5 teenagers (and friends) every day!
😂