Economy Gastronomy - new budget cookery programme; BBC

cw18

ginnyknit wrote: »

I just couldn't get over how they were not doing it out of necessity and often looked bored with the whole process. And wifey thought she would have to spend all day cooking - well I dont and I turn out really good economical food - ah yes but I have to! Do like the chefs tho they are funny and enthusiastic and very good at what they do.

Well, I actually got the impression that all three families featured so far have been doing this by necessity....... a loss of job (wife in family 1), collapse of main business leading to an 80% drop in income and putting their house up for sale (family 2), and recession holding back the growth of the new business venture (family 3)

If this doesn't mean they're doing it out of necessity, then what would

OK, so they still have considerably more to spend per head on food than I do (and I'm considerably better off until next September than I would be on JSA or IS), but they're ALL having to face up to drops in income that give them no choice but to cut back on their food spends......

tryingtoruletheworld

Ok, like I said before, it is good to see people on higher budgets learn to make the most of what they have, but I still stand by the opinion it would be good to see what they can do with less as well!

I eat organic food and make some great meals, I love amazing food, and I love to save up to go to the best restaurants and enjoy every minute of it.

However, I spend a lot less than any of the programmes so far, and was looking to pick up more tips for great food on a budget. Yes I know the word gastronomy is in the title, but so is economy! So far I have been unable to use most of the advice given, as it would mean quadrupling my budget, and I am certainly not on such a tight budget as some on this site. All I would have liked is a few more accessible recipes. I am always looking for more inspiration to make amazing meals on a budget.

Butterfly_Brain

thriftlady wrote: »

I consider myself very middle class. I find that remark quite insulting, I never waste any food. I chose my user name carefully, I may not have a tiny budget: it's a fairly modest one, but I am thrifty with what I have.

That comment wasn't aimed at any one who has sense enough to be on this web site but it appears to me that the programmes have been aimed at people brought up in the 1980's and 90's yuppie generation easy come easy go

hamish222

raphanius wrote: »

the rules that say chefs shouldnt show off making impossible desserts on programmes aimed at home cooks and omit it from the book because it is obviously beyond any of us.

The reason why its not in the book is that it is not one of there recipes as such. Just showing people what can be done with leftovers and ingredients that they have in their own kitchens. I think part at end is just to highlight that you can feed people with what you already have with a little planning.

thriftlady_2

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

That comment wasn't aimed at any one who has sense enough to be on this web site but it appears to me that the programmes have been aimed at people brought up in the 1980's and 90's yuppie generation easy come easy go

If that's what you meant, then maybe that's what you should have said;)

Penelope_Penguin

zippychick wrote: »

i'm not big on fish. Has anyone ever made "chicken cakes?" :rotfl:

They're known as rissoles And, btw, you could use any meat; leave out the sweetcorn or substitute courgette or pepper; or use herbs of your choice

Rossy2692 wrote: »

Well I am talking about majority in as what I see around me, from up North so the majority are like me, the North South divide is more apparent than ever before and that i believe is a fact. Like i said everyone to their own opinion on this series

I live in the North, not a particularily affluent area, most of my friends are in work. My friends in the South still have huge mortages to pay, so our disposable income isn't so different. I just don't see this North South divide

Penny. x

MrsE_2

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

They're known as rissoles And, btw, you could use any meat; leave out the sweetcorn or substitute courgette or pepper; or use herbs of your choice

I live in the North, not a particularily affluent area, most of my friends are in work. My friends in the South still have huge mortages to pay, so our disposable income isn't so different. I just don't see this North South divide

Penny. x

I used to love rissoles:D

Yes any north south divide with wages & jobs is totally wiped out by the extra costs of living (mainly the roof over your head) down here.
In fact I think we are probably disposable cash far poorer.

HariboJunkie

Reverbe wrote: »

I noticed these but found them lighthearted but not snide. The point I have to make here is that the family didnt seem to be that worried when having so many kids as to whether they could support them. The massive mansion style house and the large family may also be contributory factors to the familys current financial state especially when you consider the instability of a man trying to launch an internet business ( an area that has a lot of failures)during the recession and a wife that doesnt work even though all the children are school age.

I don't think you can tell from an hour long programme which focused on the shopping budget of a family, how worried they are about supporting their children . Many women don't work outside the home when they have school age children. There may be a variety of reasons why they do this but perhaps childcare for 5 children would negate any wage she could earn and perhaps she simply chooses to do so because she wants to and is able to. I don't think the programme implied that they were really struggling, just spending too much and why not cut back on the spending instead of going to work if staying at home is an important lifestyle choice to you.

MrsE_2

clutterydrawer wrote: »

Sorry but I wanted to hit that bloke when he was throwing away so much food....I know I'll sound really self righteous here but so many people in the world are malnourished or starving, the least he could do is show some appreciation and gratitude for how lucky he has been in life, not just fling food in the bin like it has no value.

I want a waste disposal after watching that:D
I thought they were an old fashioned thing that no one installed anymore.
I thought it looked great:D

[Deleted User]

lol. There is a bit of an undercurrent going on here: eg

`I can do better than you re the scrimping stakes`
`I have less money than you so must always buy value foods`
`Why put on a programme that is not aimed for the poor`

It is making me laugh tbh. The poor don`t have a monopoly when it comes to good cooking programmes. Lets take the programme in the spirit in which it was intended ie an amazingly good and entertaining programme