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A taste of home
There have been ample of studies on family meals to support the premise sharing a meal strengthens a familyâs bonds, while making children healthier and increasing their chances for success in life
T
here have been ample of studies on family meals to support the premise sharing a meal strengthens a family's bonds, while making children healthier and increasing their chances for success in life.
A recent survey of 1,165 Indonesian families by instant seasonings producer Royco supported the prevailing studies on home cooking and its benefits that emphasize the 'taste of home'.
The survey finds that the best flavors are always found in mom's cooking.
Royco senior brand manager Asep Haikal said that 85 percent of homemakers interviewed said that cooking was a gift of love to their families.
'Home cooking is somehow identical with a mother's passionate cooking with distinctive flavors,' he said while presenting the survey's results at a recent discussion on Indonesian home cooking traditions.
The survey said that 90 percent of the homemakers cooked for their families daily, while 88 percent always reminded family members to eat at home and prepare their favorite food.
Meanwhile, 80 percent of the women and homemakers interviewed said that family meals they cooked themselves strengthened family bonding and harmony at home.
Family psychologist Ratih Andjayani Ibrahim said that families experienced positive interactions when sitting around dining table.
'A family eating together is a powerful interaction that can take place at home. My family too has a family meal tradition to keep and pass on to my children.'
Chef Sisca Soewitomo, the author of 126 cookbooks, said that it was more common to see fathers and children in the kitchen to help prepare family meals.
'I have my personal saying when it comes to cooking: cook and serve with love. It's never about cooking skill, because if you do it while thinking about those to whom you will serve the food, the results must be good.'
TV personality Novita Angie, a mother of two, said that she always made time to cook for the family every day and eat together.
'On the weekend, I have my children cook together and share the food with others. By cooking, we create priceless family experience,' she said.
Asep said that Royco posted recipes of family meals at royco.co.id and social media, such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, under the account name Masak Apa Hari Ini (What's Cooking Today?).
'It can inspire homemakers and help them to create a better home for the family.'
