Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche

It is interesting to note the ways in which cooking at its associations with masculine and feminine roles change between domestic and professional perspectives. One of the readings assigned for this module commented on the way that the role of the man in a traditional, heterosexual household is to be the wage earner and provider- outside of the home. Once inside the home, the traditional role of the man is that of a consumer. I used to find it confusing, and not a little hypocritical of both American and my native Russian society to believe that a woman’s ‘role’ in the home was that of the cook. However, the realm of professional chef’s is male dominated. It makes some more sense when I view it in the light of the reading as a chef is a masculine role on par with ‘producer’ in both American and Russian cultures.

 

While it is the ‘role’ of woman to cook in the household, men cooking takes on a novelty role- ‘masculine’ cooking is associated with grilling in America (although my husband finds it funny that in Russia ‘masculine’ cooking is associated with Rice Pilaf.) Admittedly, ‘meat’ is considered masculine in both cultures, perhaps associated still with the act of hunting- although ‘hunting’ no longer requires more skill than a walk to the meat department. This youtube montage video  demonstrates distinctly different styles associated with male-targeted and female-targeted cooking shows. Male oriented shows focus more on action and simplicity while the female-oriented shows discuss feelings more, family values and achieving consensus and harmony to the dining table and by extension the family. I could find no male-oriented examples of grilling meat and talk about feelings. Vegetables and lighter delicate foods are somehow feminine. My husband has also told me that when he was younger he was embarrassed to order quiche at a restaurant, and now that he is older and confident enough in his sexuality to order quiche he still mentally justifies it to himself that ‘real men’ do what they want anyways. Even if it means eating quiche.