Men Are The Best Chefs

Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions, I am not trying to favour men. But the truth is, I am a man… and man is me.

Confusing? Maybe. But somehow, it still makes sense.

What I am really trying to say is, I don’t need to be biased towards men just because I am one – I just happen to believe that men make the best food.

If you have ever dined at a five-star restaurant or had the honour of eating at a Michelin-starred establishment, chances are the genius in the kitchen was a man.

There is just something about how we approach cooking; the precision, effort and energy we invest in making food turns it into a form of art.

It’s not that women can’t cook (they absolutely can), but men, we just bring something different to the table. What is even more interesting is that, historically, cooking wasn’t a man’s world. Traditionally, men worked the fields or handled labour outside the home, while women took care of household duties, including preparing meals. But we broke into the culinary scene with bold flavours and big ideas.

Now, let’s bring it closer to home. Personally, I believe I cook the best rice in the world. Not to brag, but my rice game is truly next level. Even if you hand me rice from a government food scheme or a donation, I’ll turn it into a dish that tastes like it came from a five-star kitchen.

Stews and sauces? I’m still learning – been at it for over 10 years now. But learning never really ends, right? When it comes to rice, though, that’s where I shine. I’ve perfected the timing, the water-to-rice ratio, the heat control, the fluffiness, everything. Rice is hands-down my carb of choice. It’s an art, and yes, it looks simple, but it takes skill.

Funny enough, in my household, my brothers and I all experiment with cooking. One of them can’t cook to save his life – he somehow burns everything. The other one puts in effort, which is commendable, and he gets by. But our food hits differently. Unlike the typical overly spiced or garlic-heavy meals (no offence), our cooking is clean, balanced and well thought out and healthier.

The question is why does our food taste better? We cook while multitasking. We’ll be flipping pans and checking the oven, all while scrolling through TikTok or watching the latest episode of something on Netflix, yet the food still slaps. It comes out well-seasoned, perfectly textured and genuinely enjoyable.

We are not too serious about it, not afraid to be judged by whoever eats it, and this makes it fun. There’s a finesse to the way men cook, an effortless brilliance that shows up in every bite.

And I think it’s sexy for a man to make food for his family.

Again, I’m not saying women don’t make great food – many do. But if we’re being honest, men tend to cook better, even though the ratio of chefs or cooks in everyday households might still favour women.

So yes, men can be the best chefs. And no, it’s not just because I’m a man, maybe that plays a small part, but it’s really about the way we approach cooking.

We treat the kitchen like an art studio. It’s chaos: all the utensils are in use, a dirty stove, flour everywhere, but somehow, the food is a masterpiece. We don’t just cook, we craft, we experiment and we deliver.

In this image, I prepared perfectly cooked basmati rice, served with a flavourful chicken stir-fry and a side of cinnamon-spiced butternut.

Enjoy the virtual plate.

– Meneer_SK is an advocate for men’s grooming and all matters relating to men. Follow him on Instagram @Meneer_SK This is the personal view of the author.

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