Everyone knows that kitchens are an equal-opportunity playground these days. Not only are men spending triple the time there compared with 40 years ago, according to a recent Mintel report, but they are doing it for distinctly family-friendly reasons: Of Gen Y guys who cook for their families, 64 percent say it makes them feel “like a good dad,” and 92 percent of them prepare meals with their kids at least some of the time, indicates a survey by trend-watching firm Upshot.
Now suppose you’re a dad who’s also a kitchen king by profession, like Mario Batali or Chris Cosentino. What would your wish be for your designated day of honor, the third Sunday in June? We asked Batali, Cosentino, and 10 more top chefs for their Father’s Day wish lists and got some entertaining and endearing responses. Read Megan O. Steintrager’s roundup, and you might discover a few ideas for a Father’s Day celebration of your own.
If it’s cool to be a man with a pan today, it’s also not uncommon to have a keen craving for fast things on four wheels, judging from our informal chef survey (and we’re not talking about serving carts). So for this Dad’s Day issue, it seems just right to be spotlighting Jeff Gordon, a major name on the NASCAR circuit who has developed a sideline in winemaking. This champ even names his wines after his kids, Kelly Senyei reports.
It wouldn’t be a holiday without a great spread, so our food editors have prepared an exclusive new Father’s Day Gourmet Modern Menu, three recipes to enjoy on their own or in any combination: Pretzel Bites with Quick Cheddar Dip, Grilled Rib Pork Chops with Sweet and Tangy Peach Relish, and the Ultimate Brownie Sundae, complete with three homemade sauces. And though it makes a great gift, you don’t have to be a dad to love the new Gourmet Special Edition, Easy Dinners. It’s packed with 109 recipes streamlined for ease (translation: all the flavor, fewer pots and pans), including dozens of practical weeknight solutions plus menus that step right up to entertaining. You’ll find it on sale now at retailers nationwide: Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods, Hudson News, and many more.
What’s the kitchen specialty of the dad in your life, and how will you be celebrating? Get in touch via Twitter or Facebook, drop us a line (gourmetlive@condenast.com), or post a comment on our blog. For more tasty bites, sign up for our weekly newsletter to get convenient access to our most-read blog posts, editors’ favorite recipes, and exclusive reader offers.
Have a delicious holiday!
The editors of Gourmet Live