SOURCE: Riza T. Olchondra/inq
MANILA, Philippines—A gender shift is taking place in the kitchen in the Philippines and the rest of Asia, according to the Electrolux Asian Food Survey 2010.
Download our free toolbar here
MANILA, Philippines—A gender shift is taking place in the kitchen in the Philippines and the rest of Asia, according to the Electrolux Asian Food Survey 2010.
Women have traditionally ruled the kitchen but these days, more men are spending time in the kitchen and becoming “connoisseurs of epicurean pleasures.”
Results of the online survey that covered 4,000 respondents show that about 66 percent of men enjoy or are passionate about cooking with the fairer sex falling behind at 63 percent.
Considered to be sensitive and metrosexual, men who cook are “in” and sleek kitchen appliances are now his power-tools; a tantalizing meal is now his pet project, said the survey report.
“In Asia, more people are spending time in kitchens to entertain, and as a hobby and passion. That is why at Electrolux, we feel it is necessary to design kitchens with the latest cutting-edge technology and thoughtful designer flair to fully enhance the cooking experience in every way possible for our Asian consumers,” said Electrolux East Asia president Suresh Balan.
Electrolux sells more than 40 million home and professional appliances to customers in 150 countries every year.
In the Philippines, there is also a big number of people who enjoy cooking (69 percent) and believe strongly that one can cook and eat your way to better health (99 percent).
The Philippines has the largest percentage of respondents that believes that the quality of fresh food is much better than in the past (59 percent).
Many cook western food at home often (26 percent at least once a week; 33 percent once or twice a month) and use a lot of short cuts when cooking, such as ready-made sauces (52 percent).
Despite time constraints, about one in four Filipinos (28 percent) have lunch at home every day. The regional average is 23 percent.
“Sinigang” (pork, beef or shrimp in tamarind broth) was the favorite dish among respondents, followed by adobong baboy o manok (braised pork or chicken) and fried or grilled chicken.
Eating at home
In an age when home delivery numbers have made it into our speed dials and take-out is very much part of lunch and even dinner, Asians’ desire to cook and eat at home is still strong, according to the survey.
The found that about 90 percent of respondents throughout Asia preferred eating at home, although most find it difficult to do so due to traffic and distance from work. About 61 percent of Asians dine out at least once every two weeks.
Still, some 45 percent of Indians have lunch at home compared with the regional average of 23 percent.
Most passionate cooks
Indians are also the most passionate cooks in Asia, followed closely by Indonesians, Malaysians and Filipinos. About 64 percent of Asians enjoy or are passionate about cooking. Some 75 percent of Indians, 71 percent of Indonesians, and 69 percent of Malaysians and Filipinos enjoy or are passionate about cooking.
Respondents in countries with a wet market tradition, such as the Philippines, say that the quality of fresh food is better than in the past. However, in countries that are modernizing quickly to compete as commercial and industrial hubs in the region, the figures are significantly lower.
The belief in the improvement of quality is also largely in sync with the improvement in food storage technology. As refrigerators get more sophisticated, food can be stored for longer periods and its freshness is preserved as well.
About 51 percent of Asians believe the quality of fresh food is better than in the past. Some 59 percent of Filipinos, 58 percent of Vietnamese and 51 percent of Indians believe the quality is better.
Only about 42 percent of Malaysians and 46 percent of Chinese believe this to be so.
Health a big concern
With health being a major cause for concern in today’s society, it is no surprise that it should be addressed from within the home.
Almost all respondents emphatically believe that one can cook and eat your way to better health. Understandably, the vast majority of people worry about health when cooking a meal at home. Even when dining out, nearly nine out of 10 respondents were concerned with health issues.
Oil and salt are the two main sources of worry when cooking at home.
The quality and quantity of oil used occupy the first two positions, respectively, with salt being a close third. As far as cooking methods go, deep fried food causes the most concern.
Surprisingly, “Best before” dates are not as strictly adhered to as one might think. Only about three quarters of the respondents refuse to use food after its expiry date. A number of them are still willing to serve it up as long as it has not exceeded more than a couple of days.
Interestingly, this trend is more prevalent in Singapore than in other Asian countries, with only slightly less than half of Singaporean respondents discarding food which have gone past its “Best before dates.”
The Electrolux Asian Food Survey 2010 aims to provide better insights into the trends of food preparation in Asia, as well as the motivations of the consumer when it comes to food and dining.
The online survey is conducted in English, Vietnamese, Bahasa Melayu, Thai and Mandarin via each country’s local Electrolux website.
This is the second time Electrolux has conducted such a survey. The first took place in 2007.
Results of the online survey that covered 4,000 respondents show that about 66 percent of men enjoy or are passionate about cooking with the fairer sex falling behind at 63 percent.
Considered to be sensitive and metrosexual, men who cook are “in” and sleek kitchen appliances are now his power-tools; a tantalizing meal is now his pet project, said the survey report.
“In Asia, more people are spending time in kitchens to entertain, and as a hobby and passion. That is why at Electrolux, we feel it is necessary to design kitchens with the latest cutting-edge technology and thoughtful designer flair to fully enhance the cooking experience in every way possible for our Asian consumers,” said Electrolux East Asia president Suresh Balan.
Electrolux sells more than 40 million home and professional appliances to customers in 150 countries every year.
In the Philippines, there is also a big number of people who enjoy cooking (69 percent) and believe strongly that one can cook and eat your way to better health (99 percent).
The Philippines has the largest percentage of respondents that believes that the quality of fresh food is much better than in the past (59 percent).
Many cook western food at home often (26 percent at least once a week; 33 percent once or twice a month) and use a lot of short cuts when cooking, such as ready-made sauces (52 percent).
Despite time constraints, about one in four Filipinos (28 percent) have lunch at home every day. The regional average is 23 percent.
“Sinigang” (pork, beef or shrimp in tamarind broth) was the favorite dish among respondents, followed by adobong baboy o manok (braised pork or chicken) and fried or grilled chicken.
Eating at home
In an age when home delivery numbers have made it into our speed dials and take-out is very much part of lunch and even dinner, Asians’ desire to cook and eat at home is still strong, according to the survey.
The found that about 90 percent of respondents throughout Asia preferred eating at home, although most find it difficult to do so due to traffic and distance from work. About 61 percent of Asians dine out at least once every two weeks.
Still, some 45 percent of Indians have lunch at home compared with the regional average of 23 percent.
Most passionate cooks
Indians are also the most passionate cooks in Asia, followed closely by Indonesians, Malaysians and Filipinos. About 64 percent of Asians enjoy or are passionate about cooking. Some 75 percent of Indians, 71 percent of Indonesians, and 69 percent of Malaysians and Filipinos enjoy or are passionate about cooking.
Respondents in countries with a wet market tradition, such as the Philippines, say that the quality of fresh food is better than in the past. However, in countries that are modernizing quickly to compete as commercial and industrial hubs in the region, the figures are significantly lower.
The belief in the improvement of quality is also largely in sync with the improvement in food storage technology. As refrigerators get more sophisticated, food can be stored for longer periods and its freshness is preserved as well.
About 51 percent of Asians believe the quality of fresh food is better than in the past. Some 59 percent of Filipinos, 58 percent of Vietnamese and 51 percent of Indians believe the quality is better.
Only about 42 percent of Malaysians and 46 percent of Chinese believe this to be so.
Health a big concern
With health being a major cause for concern in today’s society, it is no surprise that it should be addressed from within the home.
Almost all respondents emphatically believe that one can cook and eat your way to better health. Understandably, the vast majority of people worry about health when cooking a meal at home. Even when dining out, nearly nine out of 10 respondents were concerned with health issues.
Oil and salt are the two main sources of worry when cooking at home.
The quality and quantity of oil used occupy the first two positions, respectively, with salt being a close third. As far as cooking methods go, deep fried food causes the most concern.
Surprisingly, “Best before” dates are not as strictly adhered to as one might think. Only about three quarters of the respondents refuse to use food after its expiry date. A number of them are still willing to serve it up as long as it has not exceeded more than a couple of days.
Interestingly, this trend is more prevalent in Singapore than in other Asian countries, with only slightly less than half of Singaporean respondents discarding food which have gone past its “Best before dates.”
The Electrolux Asian Food Survey 2010 aims to provide better insights into the trends of food preparation in Asia, as well as the motivations of the consumer when it comes to food and dining.
The online survey is conducted in English, Vietnamese, Bahasa Melayu, Thai and Mandarin via each country’s local Electrolux website.
This is the second time Electrolux has conducted such a survey. The first took place in 2007.
