Thoughts on Culinary Therapy

Rachel and I engaged in what I would call a heartwarmingly-beautiful-and-satisfying conversation for nearly two hours, and she headed to the kitchen to make me a burger. I watched her prepare a well-done cheeseburger, with a chargrilled patty, topped with a perfectly melted piece of cheese, a finely sliced round gherkin and a trace of ketchup. She placed them in a bun encrusted with sesame seeds. It was accompanied by fresh arugula, caramelized onions, and a truffle-infused aioli. Rachel crafted a burger reminiscent of the style found at McDonald’s. Savouring this cheeseburger was an exquisite experience, it was juicy, crunchy and sweet. It was the kind of burger that left a lingering satisfaction on the palate.

“Do you remember how much I hated cooking?” Rachel asked.

“Hated would be an understatement; loathed is more precise,” I replied.

She giggled and said, “True. I thought I was never going to enjoy cooking, and do you know what changed my attitude?”

“Compliments from the people who tasted what you prepared?” I replied.

“Well, that too, but most importantly it was my therapist. She made me fall in love with culinary therapy,” she said.

“Culinary therapy? That sounds interesting, so, is it what I’m thinking it is?” I asked. Before she could answer it, her phone rang. While she took the call, she gestured for me to look it up. Intrigued, I googled the term culinary therapy.

What I understood is that Culinary therapy is considered a therapeutic technique that utilizes cooking and food-related activities to promote emotional, mental, and physical well-being. When you cook or bake, you get to mix ingredients, chop and smell things, and create something delicious. It’s not just about the final dish; it’s about the process. This process can be therapeutic, it helps you relax and feel happier. It also helps individuals to express themselves through the creation of unique dishes and flavours, which equals a boost of serotonin.

I came across an article regarding Dr. Michael Kocet who is facilitating healing through culinary therapy. In Dr. Kocet’s “chocolate meditation” sessions, students would slowly unwrap a Hershey’s candy bar and inhale its smell without consuming it. Being mindful of their memories associated with chocolate, Dr. Kocet would then instruct them to place the chocolate into their mouths emphasizing not to chew but to let it melt until it bubbled on their tongues. Eating that little piece of candy mindfully changes how we approach food. He uses cooking therapy to help both individuals and couples deal with familial issues, including grief.“If a client burns something and grows frustrated because he or she burned a dish, you can process with them,” he says. “I may ask if there’s anything in his life that is making them feel burned out or how they can use the experience to learn from other past mistakes.”

Honestly, I have never pictured cooking when I think of therapy. I always thought of it as a practical life skill. However, I realised that cooking and baking are now being used as therapy methods by healthcare facilities and counsellors all over the world. And it makes some sense, cooking is accessible to most people, therefore patients can practice it on a daily basis. It is cost-effective and less overwhelming than trying out unfamiliar creative arts such as sculpting as in art therapy. Let’s also not forget the fact that involvement in food preparation promotes awareness of ingredients and encourages healthier eating habits, contributing to physical well-being (my mom often says this.) Moreover, completing a culinary project, whether a simple meal or a complex recipe, provides a sense of achievement, boosting self-esteem. And most importantly, seeing your loved ones enjoy the dish you prepared can be incredibly satisfying.

Though all of these things are true, I firmly believe that culinary therapy may not appeal to everyone. Though it encourages individuals to be present in the moment, savouring the process rather than viewing it as a monotonous chore, many may find it challenging to do so. People have diverse interests and their comfort levels in the kitchen may vary. Individuals with limited cooking skills or those who simply don’t enjoy cooking may not find the same therapeutic benefits in the kitchen as experienced by the ones good at cooking. Let’s consider exercise, some people enjoy hitting the gym, while others may not like structured workouts at all; they may prefer outdoor activities like hiking or casual strolls instead. Just like how different forms of exercise or traditional talk therapy may not resonate with everyone, culinary therapy follows a similar principle —it may not work for everyone.

An article stated that instant gratification in the form of delicious food is a great way to help a person cope with stress. When I read this, the first question that crossed my mind was: Will culinary therapy be effective for stress eaters? When stress releases hormones like cortisol, it may increase appetite. For people who resort to emotional eating as a coping mechanism (where people seek comfort in familiar or pleasurable foods), culinary therapy can be challenging. Though it intends to promote a positive relationship with food, being mindful of their food choices becomes a complex task for stress eaters. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals with a history of stress eating to approach cooking therapy with awareness.

Though some may dismiss ‘culinary therapy’ as just another fancy word that someone invented to make cooking sound sophisticated, the concept is grounded in the idea that cooking can be a meaningful and therapeutic activity with tangible benefits for one’s mental health. So, next time you help out in the kitchen, know that you’re not just making food – you’re healing yourself! Also, if you think that cooking is not healing you, that’s also fine! Limited research has been conducted on culinary therapy’s standalone effectiveness in addressing mental health symptoms. The key is acknowledging that the benefits of culinary therapy, like that of exercise, can vary based on individual interests and inclinations. The goal is to find an approach that aligns with personal preferences, making the experience enjoyable and valuable.

Melanie Ann George 🌼