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Brits don't cook any more, says Delia Smith. But is she right? Brits don't cook any more, says Delia Smith. But is she right?
(4 months later)
Delia Smith has criticised modern cooking shows such as MasterChef for intimidating aspiring cooks, and claims the country has lost its grip on home cooking.Delia Smith has criticised modern cooking shows such as MasterChef for intimidating aspiring cooks, and claims the country has lost its grip on home cooking.
In an interview in the latest issue of Radio Times, Smith let fly. Anyone might think she had a new cookery course to promote – but her strong words have divided opinion.In an interview in the latest issue of Radio Times, Smith let fly. Anyone might think she had a new cookery course to promote – but her strong words have divided opinion.
One Guardian commentator declared in the thread following the news article, that "current cooking programmes are simply food porn...basic cooking skills have been lost" whilst another replied with: "people don't watch Masterchef for cooking lessons, they watch it to see the potential that amateur chefs can fulfill when given the opportunity. Most cooking show viewers either already know the basics, or can pick them up by having a go."One Guardian commentator declared in the thread following the news article, that "current cooking programmes are simply food porn...basic cooking skills have been lost" whilst another replied with: "people don't watch Masterchef for cooking lessons, they watch it to see the potential that amateur chefs can fulfill when given the opportunity. Most cooking show viewers either already know the basics, or can pick them up by having a go."
So what did Delia really say, was she right and do you agree with the comments?So what did Delia really say, was she right and do you agree with the comments?
"Nobody teaches people how to cook any more … you can't just open a book, go into a kitchen; you've got to have some lessons""Nobody teaches people how to cook any more … you can't just open a book, go into a kitchen; you've got to have some lessons"
After recently announcing her retirement from broadcasting, Smith launched an online cookery school but she is far from the first chef to take their skills to the internet in hope of teaching others how to cook.After recently announcing her retirement from broadcasting, Smith launched an online cookery school but she is far from the first chef to take their skills to the internet in hope of teaching others how to cook.
Jamie Oliver launched his own YouTube channel, Food Tube, earlier this year and at the time of writing has 233,531 subscribers and has had over 11m views. His videos show how to make a range of foods from 'super quick pasta sauces' to 'how to cook perfect steak'.Jamie Oliver launched his own YouTube channel, Food Tube, earlier this year and at the time of writing has 233,531 subscribers and has had over 11m views. His videos show how to make a range of foods from 'super quick pasta sauces' to 'how to cook perfect steak'.
But professional TV chefs are not the only ones providing online cooking lessons. SORTED Food, a YouTube venture from four university friends has been such a success that they now boast more than 27m views. Their video on how to to bake macaroons has so far been the most popular with more than 725,000 hits.But professional TV chefs are not the only ones providing online cooking lessons. SORTED Food, a YouTube venture from four university friends has been such a success that they now boast more than 27m views. Their video on how to to bake macaroons has so far been the most popular with more than 725,000 hits.
But if we are to look at book sales, we can see that sales of food and drink books fell slightly in 2012 for the first time in four years. The data from Nielsen Bookscan doesn't – we think, correct us if we're wrong – include e-book sales however.But if we are to look at book sales, we can see that sales of food and drink books fell slightly in 2012 for the first time in four years. The data from Nielsen Bookscan doesn't – we think, correct us if we're wrong – include e-book sales however.
Jamie Oliver's Jamie's 30 Minute Meals has sold more than 1.79m copies since its release in 2010 and remains the fasting-selling non-fiction title in UK book publishing history.Jamie Oliver's Jamie's 30 Minute Meals has sold more than 1.79m copies since its release in 2010 and remains the fasting-selling non-fiction title in UK book publishing history.
Whether or not a book can teach you how to cook, or as Delia believes, your future culinary success depends on having lessons, we can't statistically be certain. We'll leave that to you in the comments field below.Whether or not a book can teach you how to cook, or as Delia believes, your future culinary success depends on having lessons, we can't statistically be certain. We'll leave that to you in the comments field below.
Of course, Delia herself has published more than 20 cookery books. Presumably hers are more educational...Of course, Delia herself has published more than 20 cookery books. Presumably hers are more educational...
What is however clear is that cookery is being taught - and has been for a long time. First introduced in the 1800s to prepare girls for domestic service, to the Department for Education's School Food Plan. In response to new recommendations (and plenty of criticism) the new national curriculum will see all secondary school students learning about food and technology from 2014.What is however clear is that cookery is being taught - and has been for a long time. First introduced in the 1800s to prepare girls for domestic service, to the Department for Education's School Food Plan. In response to new recommendations (and plenty of criticism) the new national curriculum will see all secondary school students learning about food and technology from 2014.
"We've lost our grip on home cooking. I can see that by the way kitchen equipment shops are in decline" "We've lost our grip on home cooking. I can see that by the way kitchen equipment shops are in decline"
Maybe not. The cooking and baking market was worth £1.057bn in 2012, up from £1.043bn in 2011 according to retail analysts Conlumino, and it's expected to rise to £1.075bn this year.Maybe not. The cooking and baking market was worth £1.057bn in 2012, up from £1.043bn in 2011 according to retail analysts Conlumino, and it's expected to rise to £1.075bn this year.
If we're to turn our attention to baking, then there have been many shops reporting rises in equipment sales, no doubt boosted by the popularity of the Great British Bake Off. Sainsbury's announced their plans to launch a dedicated baking website last April after sales of its bakeware equipment and home baking items soared in the 12 months prior.If we're to turn our attention to baking, then there have been many shops reporting rises in equipment sales, no doubt boosted by the popularity of the Great British Bake Off. Sainsbury's announced their plans to launch a dedicated baking website last April after sales of its bakeware equipment and home baking items soared in the 12 months prior.
Since 2011 Sainsbury's sales of bakeware accessories have increased by 150% according to their press office. In turn the supermarket increased the number of their baking accessories from 25 to 90 (+260%) as "the baking trend going from strength to strength." They also noted that customers were buying into specialist cake baking lines as well as novelty baking items.Since 2011 Sainsbury's sales of bakeware accessories have increased by 150% according to their press office. In turn the supermarket increased the number of their baking accessories from 25 to 90 (+260%) as "the baking trend going from strength to strength." They also noted that customers were buying into specialist cake baking lines as well as novelty baking items.
But supermarkets aren't the only place where people are getting their kitchen equipment. Debenhams announced a 207% increase (versus last year) in their sales of traditional bakeware such as mixing bowls, scales and other accessories.But supermarkets aren't the only place where people are getting their kitchen equipment. Debenhams announced a 207% increase (versus last year) in their sales of traditional bakeware such as mixing bowls, scales and other accessories.
But as Delia specifically spoke about kitchen equipment shops, we asked the Centre for Retail Research on data showing how many kitchen equipment shops had closed down in recent years. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the centre, responded with the following statement:But as Delia specifically spoke about kitchen equipment shops, we asked the Centre for Retail Research on data showing how many kitchen equipment shops had closed down in recent years. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the centre, responded with the following statement:
The number of kitchen shops has declined, but these are mostly single-owner stores in cities, smart towns and tourist areas. Sales of kitchen products are also made through John Lewis and other department stores, supermarkets which have hovered up a lot of kitchenware sales, DIY (look at any Homebase), and online.The number of kitchen shops has declined, but these are mostly single-owner stores in cities, smart towns and tourist areas. Sales of kitchen products are also made through John Lewis and other department stores, supermarkets which have hovered up a lot of kitchenware sales, DIY (look at any Homebase), and online.
So the number of kitchen shops that exist is not the only measure of the strength or otherwise of people's interest in cooking.So the number of kitchen shops that exist is not the only measure of the strength or otherwise of people's interest in cooking.
"Food isn't theatre and to make it into theatre is wrong""Food isn't theatre and to make it into theatre is wrong"
Delia doesn't dislike all TV cookery shows. Although she's not a fan of Masterchef, she does have a soft spot for Hairy Bikers. Smith admitted that the show made cooking funny but also made viewers think they would like to make the dishes they cooked.Delia doesn't dislike all TV cookery shows. Although she's not a fan of Masterchef, she does have a soft spot for Hairy Bikers. Smith admitted that the show made cooking funny but also made viewers think they would like to make the dishes they cooked.
Research by Conlumino found that in 2012:Research by Conlumino found that in 2012:

• 60.2% of consumers watched TV cookery shows, up 15.4 percentage points
• 87.6% prepared a family meal at home, up 12.9 points
• 58% baked at home, up 31.2 points
• 26.7% bought a cook book, up 18.2 points
• 57.2% looked up a recipe online, up 20.4 points
• 4.5% took baking lessons, up 1.3 points
• 60.2% of consumers watched TV cookery shows, up 15.4 percentage points
• 87.6% prepared a family meal at home, up 12.9 points
• 58% baked at home, up 31.2 points
• 26.7% bought a cook book, up 18.2 points
• 57.2% looked up a recipe online, up 20.4 points
• 4.5% took baking lessons, up 1.3 points
Global market research analysts, Mintel also found in a survey last year of 1,332 internet users aged 18+ who have purchased food and drink on occasions in home, that 71% chose the following statement: 'I tend to cook from scratch'.Global market research analysts, Mintel also found in a survey last year of 1,332 internet users aged 18+ who have purchased food and drink on occasions in home, that 71% chose the following statement: 'I tend to cook from scratch'.
Data summaryData summary
Top 20 food and drink booksTop 20 food and drink books
Click heading to sort table. Download this dataClick heading to sort table. Download this data
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