Cooking: A great way to build a tribe.

Have you been to a five star hotel recently? If you have, the decor, glamour and elegance may have impressed you. 

But have you ever crossed the door that takes you into the kitchen? 

It is almost like you are in a different world. There is even an advertisement for this.

A fancy looking server asking you what you will eat. Then goes out of the door and orders samosa and chutney from the nearby marketplace.

If you go to people's home, it is much the same. We are proud of our home, but for our kitchen. The kitchen gets the work done. You may be awkward to take someone into your kitchen. 

There are many reasons for this. 

Most of us stopped cooking a long time back. We either have help that comes in to cook or have delegated the task to one member.

Many cook a few times a week, store the food and then reheat and use. The kitchen is not your pride of place. 

Maybe it is time to change this? 

There is something inherently joyful about cooking. Surrounded by flavours, smells and aromas of delicious things being cooked.

Doing so as a small group of people. A tribe if you will. Letting people showcase their abilities to do different things. 

Chop, sauté even rinse. 

I am not sure when and why exactly cooking became tres ordinarie as the French are wont to say. 

Among the hundreds of people I meet, I find this is changing. Men and women, though women more than men, are exhibiting a renewed interest in cooking. Men should too.

If not through the week, then definitely over the weekend. Call your friends over. Curate a menu. Chop, clean, cook and savour what you have made. 

There is no better way to build a community than to do it through the medium of cooking. At home.