We should never undervalue anyone who knows their way around a kitchen.

It’s not uncommon for it to be a skill that people brush off, precisely because it is yet another of those boring but necessary domestic chores. While it’s true that anyone who hopes to live independently should ensure they have some basic cooking skills, that doesn’t make the process any less of a meaningful (and hopefully delicious) achievement. All of us have to eat one way or another, and it is much more enjoyable when the tasty food in front of us comes from the fruits of our own labor. Then, we truly know what it takes to produce a good meal.

Once you either become a capable cook or spend a lot of time around someone who is, it becomes clear how much having this access to good food matters, and how great it is to have a hand in it. All the joys of modern convenience can never replace that fundamental instinct that we have for rustling up something in the kitchen. Cooking remains an essential and rewarding skill, even if not every dish is going to turn out perfectly. This only makes the very best and most memorable meals stand out more. Plus, no matter how the food tastes, it all contributes to the silliness we enjoy in cooking memes. Both the good and the bad combine here to give us a reason to joke about the stuff that goes on to our plates.