National Cooking Day
On September 25th every year, National Cooking Day is celebrated to celebrate budding chefs, home cooks and food enthusiasts.
It is a wonderful day dedicated to the timeless art of cooking as it honors culinary traditions, allows you to experiment with new recipes and appreciate the magic that unfolds in kitchens across the globe.
Cooking, for many people is more than just preparing food. It is a form of expression that blurs the gap between cultures and help to create beautiful memories and traditions. Whether it is putting together a simple sandwich or curating an artisanal dish, it is therapy that nurtures the soul and the body.
Origin of National Cooking Day
National Cooking Day is a relatively new celebration, established in 2016 by Potsandpans.com. They recognized the need for a dedicated day to honor and celebrate the joys of home cooking, along with the rich flavors and aromas of traditional recipes that bring people together.
A Brief History of Cooking
Cooking has existed for as long as humans have. Phylogenetic analysis show that early human species may have started cooking about 1 to 2 million years ago.
Evidence from the Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa indicates that our ancestors controlled fire 1 million years ago.
Richard Wrangham's work, Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human, suggests that Homo habilis cooked food regularly, linking it to bipedalism and larger brains.
Clear evidence of controlled fire use appears around 400,000 BCE, with ancient hearths and burnt bones found across Europe and the Middle East by 300,000 years ago.
The oldest evidence, dated around 780,000 years ago, involves heated fish teeth found in a deep cave. Hearths became common about 250,000 years ago.
Cooking was transformed by the Columbian Exchange with the introduction of New World foods like potatoes, tomatoes, and chocolate to the Old World. While, Old World foods like wheat, cattle, and rice were introduced to the New World.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, food symbolized identity in Europe, and by the 19th century, cuisine represented national identity.
The Industrial Revolution led to mass-production and standardization of food, with factories processing and packaging various items.
The 1920s introduced freezing methods, cafeterias, and fast food restaurants, shaping modern cooking practices.
Celebrate National Cooking Day
To celebrate National Cooking Day, start by trying a new recipe. Experiment with dishes from different cultures to spice up your cooking routine. You might also join a cooking class, whether in person or online, to learn new skills and techniques.
Consider starting a kitchen garden to enjoy fresh herbs and vegetables in your meals. Hosting a potluck dinner with friends or family is another great way to celebrate, showcasing a variety of dishes and flavors.
Use this day to share cooking memories and family recipes. National Cooking Day on September 25th honors the rich traditions of home cooking and the stories behind every meal. So, dive into your cooking adventures and enjoy the flavors and memories it brings.
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