500 word draft:

What’s the difference between a homecooked traditional pasta dish and a drive-through burger? Evidentially, there is a financial and nutritional difference, but the biggest difference is the sentimental value. All of my life I have been taught that a homecooked meal is a form of love. My family got to always have at least one part of the day together, which was enjoying a meal my mother made. When I was younger, I would stand on a chair next to my mom as she cooked and got to learn all her recipes and cooking tricks. These bonding moments over a homemade meal are staples of my childhood that made me who I am today. I love to cook for my friends and family, especially my mom because I know it makes her proud that she taught me so well. Watching someone’s face light up after their first bite of my food or hearing someone ask for a second plate warms my heart. After diving into several student archive essays about their Favorite Homemade Meals, I realized a pattern. It was common to read that their grandmother, mother, or father made these meals and that’s what made those meals special to them, and also because they are so delicious. Do not get me wrong, I love going out and trying different restaurants as well. Going out to eat is a different type of experience because it allows me to try foods from different cultures. Other than that, it does save a trip to the grocery store and the mess of cooking to clean up. Michael Pollan in his essay “Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch” seems to leave a stigma surrounding the idea of TV dinners and going out to eat as he writes about the impact authenticity has on our daily food choices. There is no arguing that TV dinners and fast food are becoming more of a norm than how homemade meals were some years ago, but they aren’t necessarily a bad thing. As much as I adore homemade meals, it takes a lot of time and energy, is not always convenient, and can be difficult or not go to plan.  

My family has always sided with cooking meals at home instead of going out to eat for many reasons. The cost is cheaper to buy ingredients, we get to customize our meals the way we prefer, and most importantly, we made the meals with love. My best friend’s family growing up preferred to go out to eat and even though I never asked why, I just assumed it was because they did not enjoy cooking like my family. Looking back, I remember being excited to go to her house because I knew we would be eating out and when she came over to spend time with my family, she loved the food and helping us cook. Having the preference of either staying in for dinner or going out varies from household to household and there should be no judgement.