- Cooking with Kamala <unk> How her cooking skills could help her in the race for the White House
Food can indeed be a part of politics. The choice of food provides a small glimpse into the personality of the candidates and has the potential to connect with voters. However, culinary preferences can also present pitfalls. If a political candidate makes a mistake with food, it can quickly appear elitist or even foolish.
For example, Hillary Clinton struggled to connect cooking and politics wisely: in 1992, she faced backlash when she defended her career by saying, "I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had tea, but what I decided to do was to fulfill my profession." This led to a storm of criticism from women who chose to stay at home.
Kamala Harris can really cook
Kamala Harris is unlikely to make such a faux pas. She has genuine cooking skills and has made them a part of her public persona for years. She can skillfully crack an egg with one hand, reads cookbooks for relaxation, and has even announced plans to write one herself.
Her passion for cooking was also showcased in the 2019 YouTube series "Cooking With Kamala." In one episode, she prepares a Masala Dosa with actress Mindy Kaling. The video has since been viewed over six million times. They discuss their experiences growing up in South Indian families, and Harris, at 59, speaks with a sense of awe about Sunday family dinners.
Food as political agenda
Food has always been a part of Harris' political agenda, even during her time in the Senate. The New York Times reports that in 2020, she introduced the "Closing the Meal Gap Act" to expand the program for food assistance to low-income families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Harris used Instagram Live to discuss the impact of lockdowns on restaurants with American chef José Andrés while receiving cooking tips from him.
However, if Harris makes it to the White House, there may be little time for cooking, said Sam Kass, former White House chef under Obama, in an interview with the New York Times. But that doesn't mean she won't find time. "If the President wants to cook on Sunday night, you can bet the President will be cooking on Sunday night," he said. He added that there are many talented chefs who could prepare meals for her, and she wouldn't have to worry about doing the dishes.
Sources: New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Eater, Esquire, YouTube
Kamala Harris' election campaign strategy could potentially include food-related initiatives, given her passion for cooking and the attention it's garnered. She has previously introduced legislature aimed at expanding food assistance to low-income families.
During her election campaign, if Kamala Harris wins, her cooking skills might take a backseat, as noted by former White House chef Sam Kass, but her love for food and cooking isn't likely to disappear entirely, given her past practices and interests.
