Chilly economy fires up home cooking, experts say. (CNN)
But after years of eating out, many people have found they don’t have a pot to cook in or a cookbook to guide them.
The sudden rush to buy basic cooking necessities has driven up sales of cookbooks, inexpensive cookware and the basic foods needed to concoct a meal. And cooking magazines and Web sites are booming even as magazine sales overall have suffered.
About 45 percent of Americans are eating out less this year to save money, a nearly 12 percent increase from 2007, according to BIGResearch, a Worthington, Ohio-based firm that does consumer research.
I too have noticed an uptick in Sevruga-and-Kraft-singles sandwiches at the GC household these days.
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September 20th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Chubbypanda
At least some part of the economy is profiting from the recession. =) I should probably try to eat out less.
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:06 pm
DocChuck
Cindy Adams, writer for the New York Post, published an interesting column on 9/21/08, titled “Fine Whining Over Chic Dining” (http://www.nypost.com/seven/09212008/gossip/cindy/fine_whining_over_chic_dining_130083.htm?page=0).
She hammers New York City restaurants for their generally poor service, for the laughable quality of the food, but mostly for the arrogant, lackadaisical, in-your-face attitudes of the staff — from the owner on down to the busboys.
Although my wife and I avoid New York City like the plague, Cindy Adam’s complaints cover many American restaurants in all sections of the country.
I have repeatedly said (and have often been verbally attacked for my views) that my wife and I will NOT eat in a restaurant unless necessitated by travel or business purposes.
And I would add to Cindy Adam’s concerns, the issues of sanitation, food quality (imported from China??), food substitution (What kind of fish is this??), staff’s personal hygiene (How many tattoos does my server have with his/her Hepatitis C??), and on and on.
A blogger who goes by the name “The Amateur Gourmet” (Google it – MySpace does not allow his link) wrote on 9/17/08 about a live roach in his sushi, and his “Readers’ Comments” section was immediately filled with scores of similar disgusting experiences.
A new book on the food scene, “Waiter Rant”, outlines many questionable (if not illegal) practices by restaurant owners, chefs, general staff, and servers.
Add the ridiculous prices that many restaurants charge, the hassle over the “tipping” issue, and some of the obnoxious patrons (and their often undisciplined kids) to the above mentioned issues . . . and we can easily “Just Say NO” to the “Dining Out” experience.
I suppose some people get off by “being CHIC”, by throwing away money in an attempt to impress other people (who could care less), or by pretending to like the taste of raw fish, of old wines that taste metallic, or of such crap as “pizza” . . . but I don’t need it.
Consider this a “Patron Rant”. A commentary from a Patron who maintains a minimal relationship with the restaurant industry, thankfully.