It was proclaimed more than 10 years ago by Michelle Bachelet, the first director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women: “The time for women is now; We won't be back in the kitchen."
The kitchen that was referred to in such a categorical sentence by the woman who was also twice president of Chile and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in an interview for El País was obviously domestic, and meant work that was made invisible, devalued and never paid that condemned so many women to economic dependence and social ostracism.
The path has begun, although there is so much left to do. But be careful, not because the work that women have done up to now has been underestimated is less important. On the contrary, even if we persist in avoiding reflecting it in the wealth indices, it is becoming increasingly evident that the necessary care to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of people is essential. What is life otherwise, gentlemen? Or what should I go for?
The sad thing is, then, not that women can finally leave the kitchen to rule their lives, they are seen and heard... If not that no one enters them to cook anymore. Because if no one cooks, processed food prevails. And although it is very convenient that the food industry helps us live better, we know that abusing ultra-processed foods causes illness, unease and melancholy.
The problem is that only professional achievements are taken into account, understanding paid professionals as professionals, and remunerating only those who work in a (work) place other than the home. Condemning domestic care to amateurism for non-payment, whether or not those who practice it are amateurs, because let's see who prefers to cook tomorrow afternoon and night, take care of the little ones, the elderly, the house and their things... Every day, without holidays and without receiving no other reward than social contempt.
Thus, abandoning the kitchen has been a necessity for many women of the new generations to access the category of independent citizens with a vote and a voice in society.
But the longest and most comprehensive study to date on the good life has shown that, precisely, caring for relationships is, more than fame or money, the key to happiness. Robert Waldinger, director of the study, explains that people with better ties to family, friends and the community are happier, healthier and live longer. And he advises to strengthen them, always recognize that someone in your environment does something good for you, like when they prepare food for you, letting them know that if they were not in your life they would make you feel unhappy, and express that gratitude.
Jordi Roca did precisely that last week, "Today that I have a voice, I want to thank all the people who have been by my side during all this time".
Last Monday the three Roca brothers gave a keynote speech at the Fòrum Gastronòmic de Girona. The fantastic human kaleidoscope made up of Joan, Josep and Jordi once again filled an auditorium packed with people who admire and love them with light, color and surprises. For this reason, in addition to enjoying and learning from every word and gesture, they exuded undisguised joy at also being able to listen to Jordi explaining his creations with that sense of humor that characterizes him.
They were accompanied, as always, by part of their team. Among them, the children of the two older brothers of El Celler. Seeing her cousins on stage, Jordi's little girl who was in the front row with her mother also wanted to go up and inadvertently starred in part of the performance with the amusing and complicit acceptance of the actors and audience, running from one side to the other, trying ingredients of the dessert that dad made or in the arms of uncle Pitu...
Beyond the tenderness of the act, which is not little, it occurs to me that the anecdote transcends the gastronomic demonstration and allows us to glimpse a more inclusive, more responsible and humane future.
I'm naive, I know, but it occurs to me that maybe we'll go back to the kitchen together and jointly responsible to take care of ourselves. To live happier at last.
