“I Don’t Cook Because…” – Let’s Talk About the Real Reasons (and Why They Don’t Have to Stop You)

“I Don’t Cook Because…” – Let’s Talk About the Real Reasons (and Why They Don’t Have to Stop You)

After more than 30 years as a professional chef, if there’s one thing I’ve heard more than “That smells amazing,” it’s:

“I just don’t cook.”
“I don’t have the time.”
“I don’t know how.”
“It’s too expensive.”
“I’m just not interested.”

And honestly? I get it.

Life moves fast. We’re juggling jobs, family, responsibilities, and it’s easy to feel like cooking is one more thing you just don’t have the bandwidth for. But most of the time, these reasons aren’t really about cooking they’re about the beliefs we carry.

So let’s unpack the five biggest kickbacks I hear when it comes to cooking, and why none of them need to hold you back.

1. “I don’t have time.”

This is the most common one. But here’s the truth: cooking doesn’t have to take hours, and it can actually give you time especially with your family.

When you involve your loved ones in the process- chopping, prepping, tasting, and eventually sitting down to eat- you’re not losing time, you’re creating it. Cooking becomes a shared experience. You talk, you laugh, you learn together. That time in the kitchen becomes family time.

Some of my most treasured memories are of cooking with my daughter when she was very young. Tiny apron, messy hands, lots of laughs. Today, she and her husband make beautiful meals and memories in their own kitchen cooking together, exploring new flavors, and continuing the tradition of care through food. That time we spent together laid the foundation not just for cooking skills, but for a deep connection to food and each other.

2. “I don’t know how.”

No one starts out knowing how to cook. Not me. Not you. Not the chefs on TV.

Cooking is a skill just like driving, riding a bike, or learning a new language. You don’t need to master it overnight. Start with one dish. One pot. One pan. Let it be imperfect. Let it be yours. Every confident cook started as a beginner. And if you ever want a little help, that’s what I’m here for.

3. “It’s too expensive.”

We’ve been sold the idea that cooking from scratch costs more. But the truth? Real, whole foods- beans, grains, vegetables, eggs- stretch your dollars much further than takeout or packaged food.

Even more importantly, when you cook at home, you know exactly what’s going into your food. From the freshness of the produce and proteins to the proportions of oil, salt, or sweetener in your dressings and sauces- you’re in control.

That knowledge builds confidence. You don’t have to guess what’s hiding behind a menu description or a food label.

What’s more, cooking at home gives you flexibility. You waste less. You make smarter choices. You invest in your health, your energy, and your family’s well-being.

Cooking isn’t about being fancy it’s about being intentional.

4. “I’m just not interested.”

When people say this, I often think: maybe you haven’t had the right cooking experience yet.

Cooking can be joyful. It can be creative. It can be calming. It can be exciting. But most importantly it can be deeply human. When the music is playing, something’s sizzling on the stove, and someone you love is nearby, cooking becomes more than a chore it becomes a moment.

Try a new recipe. Light a candle. Cook to match your mood or the season. Create an atmosphere that invites you in.

5. “My kids won’t eat it.”

That’s even more reason to cook.

When kids are invited into the kitchen, they become part of the process. They see how food is made. They touch it, smell it, taste it. They build curiosity and confidence. And even if they don’t love every dish, they start to understand what real food is.

That’s exactly how it was with my daughter. From the very beginning, we cooked together. And it wasn’t always pretty- she made a mess, asked a million questions, and tried everything once. But that investment paid off. Today, she cooks with confidence, joy, and a real sense of adventure.

Here’s the bottom line:

Cooking doesn’t have to be hard. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

If you can boil water, you can cook. If you can slice an onion, you can cook. If you can show up for yourself or your family, you can cook.

And if you’re still not sure where to begin… Don’t be afraid to reach out. I love helping people take their first steps in the kitchen because cooking with presence, purpose, and love is something we could all use a little more of especially when it’s shared with family and friends.

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