- 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 candidates and has the potential to connect with voters. However, culinary preferences can also present pitfalls. If a political candidate makes a mistake while eating, it can quickly seem elitist or even foolish.
For instance, 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 teas, but what I decided to do was to fulfill my profession." This sparked 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 possesses genuine cooking skills and has made them a part of her public persona for years. She can expertly crack an egg with one hand, reads cookbooks for relaxation, and has even hinted at writing one herself.
Her passion for cooking was showcased in the 2019 YouTube series "Cooking With Kamala," where she prepared a Masala Dosa with actress Mindy Kaling. The video has since been viewed over six million times. The two discuss their experiences growing up in South Indian families, and Harris, now 59, speaks with reverence about Sunday family meals. Throughout the video, Harris appears neither stiff nor out of place, but rather relaxed and warm.
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, Harris introduced the "Closing the Meal Gap Act" to expand the food assistance program for 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 advice 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, she'll cook 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' cooking skills are a stark contrast to Hillary Clinton's comment about baking cookies and having teas. Instead of facing backlash, Harris has leveraged her culinary talents to connect with her audience, as shown in the popular YouTube series "Cooking With Kamala."
Despite the potential challenges of being the president, Harris has expressed a desire to continue cooking, showing her relatability and down-to-earth approach to politics.
