SPECIAL FEATURES:
Email
Cook or clean? Which would you rather forego?
If I could afford it, I would hire someone to cook most of my meals, but that's not everyone's dream — some people would rather have a house cleaner. What side are you on?
Fri, Nov 16 2012 at 2:40 PM
Related Topics:
Photo: usairforce/Flickr
I love to eat. But not just any food; I love homemade, locally grown, slow-cooked, made-from-scratch breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The trouble is, I don't like to cook. It's not that I hate it — and in fact a couple times a month I break out the pots and pans and put together a nice meal for my boyfriend and me. But that occasional cooking becomes totally un-fun for me as soon as I have to do it more often.
So if I had the money, my dream would be to hire a personal chef to make scrumptious meals so I never have to think about cooking (unless it's for fun) again. But I had a feeling that other people might not feel the same way, so I posed the following question on Facebook:
If you had the resources (but only enough to choose one), would you rather:
Have someone come into your home to clean/do laundry twice a week
Have someone come and make you dinner (as well as pre-make or otherwise prepare) several other meals for the week, including food shopping?
(The cost for the cleaner and the chef is the same; you still pay for your food separately.)
And of course I got all kinds of answers! Though I would say that a solid majority would choose someone to clean rather than to cook. But the responses get to the heart of what we want to spend time doing.
Joceyln Gordon, creator of HoopYogini, felt much the way I do about food, writing, "Food Prep ~ I enjoy eating, however, I'm not so much of a fan of cooking. I would like meals prepared by an enthused cook who is infusing joy into our meals. Also, I could get things "done" like cleaning and laundry while meals are being prepared. AND, could enjoy some quality time (outside of the kitchen) with my loved ones."
Berkeley, Calif.-based biologist Chris Terry made an interesting point about why we like to eat out: "In house I would prefer cleaning and laundry service. If someone else is going to prepare my meals, I'd rather eat out for the social experience."
MNN healthy food blogger Robin Shreeves based her decision on the fact that she likes to cook, but would love someone to do the grocery shopping: "I hate cleaning! It should come as no surprise that I enjoy cooking. I like to grocery shop, too, but finding the time to do it well (make the menu, create the shopping list, cut any coupons, and actually shop) is tough. I do far more small trips to the store than I'd like. I don't think I'd like someone to cook for me ... but someone to go to the store twice a month for me, and buy exactly what I want them to buy, would be nice. But since you're saying we can only choose one, I choose the cleaning person."
Melissa Goldberg, who runs her own PR company in New Jersey, also likes to cook, and wouldn't give that up for convenience: "I would pay some one to clean. I love to cook and love to know where my food comes from and how it is prepared. I love that my husband really enjoys the meals that I make and have grown to be a better cook year after year."
Brisbane, Australia-based mother of twins and exercise instructor Alexis Presig-Toro is frustrated by the volume of laundry in her home, which drove her answer: "I would love someone to clean the house and do laundry. I love cooking and there is something very rewarding about seeing people enjoying your food. As a mother, laundry does not end, everyday there is another load/loads. Cleaning the house becomes tricky and certain strategy has to be put in place (for me)."
NYC-based makeup artist Kristen Arnett finds cooking to be a fun, creative outlet, extending from the cooking to the tablescape and atmosphere, so she'd also rather have a cleaner come in to do the dirty work: "I like to set a beautiful table with candles if dining with someone. In fact, I will admit that I just ordered a book on beautiful table scapes for 2. I despise the laundry and do it once a month if possible and hire someone to do my scrubbing."
And Starre Tearney, an Ohio yogini and mom, wondered if there was a way to have both: "I'd prefer laundry and cleaning. I really enjoy shopping for food and preparing nutrious meals. Although I like having food easy at times too. Hmm, maybe alternate weeks — have help cooking one and cleaning next — best of both worlds."
As we move into the biggest entertaining time of the year, what would you rather have — a housecleaner or a cook? And most importantly, why?
Related on MNN: 10 holiday budgeting tips
The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.
You might also like:
Sign in with one of these accounts to add your comment.
EDITORS' PICKS
Advertisement
TODAY'S MOST POPULAR ON
- 15 famous people who mysteriously disappeared
- What causes tornadoes?
- 13 natural remedies for the ant invasion
- 9 habits that may do more harm than good
- Oregon man in possession of 13 million gallons of illicit rainwater sentenced to jail
- 10 false facts most people think are true
- Military dog comes home from Iraq traumatized
- When is tornado season?
- 15 houseplants to improve indoor air quality
- 20 ways to reuse coffee grounds, tea leaves
From our sponsor
Follow us and join the discussion!
NEWSLETTER
ABOUT Starre Vartan
Eco-fashionista and world-traveler blogs on sustainable style and living
Advertisement
Oooh God please Noooo!
I have someone to clean once a week (does not include doing laundry, but probably could if I was willing to pay more). I love my own cooking . . . just don't want to do it any more as I've been cooking for over five decades!!! I do like eating out, but I probably wouldn't eat as healthy as I should. Bottom line: I guess I'd want a chef.
I love to cook and clean. I make great healthy meals and much more from scratch and was thinking of culinary school but I just enjoy doing it so much figured i could do it for people at their homes or w/e. I am great cleaner and cook/baker. If anyone needs one and from fiskdale/sturbridge area contact me Also have vacuums for sale and beautiful jewelry sets
I would PREFER to hire someone to clean, but every cleaner I've hired has either not done the job well or has stolen things, so it's probably safer to hire a cook.
"... has either not done the job well or has stolen things.. " and overcharged to boot.
Cooking brings me so much joy that I could never give it up. Cleaning I only do because I HAVE to...I'd hire a maid in a New York Second if it were possible.
I also hate cleaning but love having a clean house. I enjoy cooking, and even grocery shopping is mostly a pleasant chore for me. It isn't even close. I'd hire out the cleaning and laundry and be a very contented woman.
I would totally go with cleaning and laundry, especially if it included doing the dishes after I cook! I hate cleaning and I find it super boring - in the same category as filing and paperwork. Hate it! But I like having a clean house. Cooking on the other hand is creative and health giving, and moreover I don't like other people's cooking and unhealthy ingredients. Cleaning and laundry wins hands down!
Maids can also help with cooking, and if you are truly vexed by both cooking and cleaning you will probably do best to hire a personal maid. This is different than a cleaning service.
I have a great cleaning service that comes to my home bi-monthly. I have to say that it is wonderful! Interestingly, I am a personal chef, and I would say just about ever client I have hired me in addition to their cleaning service.
I would have someone work my 50 hours per week two jobs so that I can stay home and cook and clean.
I HATE cooking. I don't even like eating to any noteworthy extent. Give me the cook any day. I actually like cleaning.
Where u live? I'm great cook.
Oh dear. I would totally go with cook if it was the same as having someone come in to clean. I am not a bad cook. I would cook every so often still. Just...someone always needs a meal constantly.
I might be bias, as I'm training to be a chef, but I would definitely go with maid service. If you like food but not cooking there are hundreds of restaurants to go to and probably a couple dozen that delivers if you don't feel like going out. Also I'll point out that half the trouble of cooking is cleaning up, with maid service you wouldn't have to worry about that either.
maids can cook great meals