That to me is the money quote in Bryan Burt's post yesterday. He is of course right, convenience and fast foods have removed the need to cook - which is why they were invented in the first place. One thing that seems to be forgotten in all the arguments about food and cooking today is WHO was expected to keep up the standards?

Women.

But anecdotal evidence now suggests women got dead bored with feeding a family that took mum's good cooking for granted. Moreover they could do little else. When I hear food snobs, and yes, despite Bryan's argument, I still call them that , complain about supermarkets and processed foods I hear an ancient patriarchal voice saying women's place is in the stove (thanks Mort Sahl, a comedian so much funnier than any today).

And that's why the food snobs will ultimately lose. Few women want to become kitchen slaves again now they've seen how much more interesting it is to work with people who aren't dependent relations.