Cooking made easy & smart

Armed with digital tools and gadgets, millennials are storming the kitchens like never before, writes Niklesh Sharma

Millennials cook differently than older people do. While people in their 40s are likely to print out recipes to cook something new, a recent report revealed a significant number of millennials use a tablet or phone in their kitchen. They use these digital tools to select the kind of food they want to cook and to help them with the recipes. The process often begins with an online search such as ‘best dal recipe’ or ‘best pasta recipe’. Among millennials, cooking isn’t a chore as much as an experience, they enjoy cooking and often use YouTube videos to learn cooking. Hence millennials’ cooking habits are interwoven with technology. Here’s how millennials are cashing in on the digital craze:

Using the ‘search’ option to learn cooking

While earlier generations relied on recipe books to learn cooking, millennials don’t. This is because there are literally tens of thousands of recipes available online, not to mention hundreds of YouTube channels that teach cooking. Millennials are learning how to cook any kind of cuisine by watching chefs/food artistes on YouTube. When it comes to learning cooking online, the possibilities are nearly endless.

The Internet makes it possible to find recipes for any kind of food in minutes. The fact that millennials view cooking as experiential and not a chore means they’re eager to search for recipes online. This works for an individual who is merely keen on learning the basics of cooking or wants to cook for fun.

Bringing tablets & phones to kitchens

Before cooking channels invaded the internet, amateur and experienced cooks carried recipe books into their kitchens. Millennials, however, carry their tablet or smartphone to the kitchen. By streaming videos that teach cooking, millennials cook foods and desserts which older people struggle even finding recipes for. There are endless, well-scripted channels on YouTube that teach cooking.

Replacing traditional search options with AI Voice

Amazon developed the smart speaker which is common in many Indian households. Although voice search is relatively new, millennials have adapted to using smart speakers and interact easily with them using voice commands. Millennials enjoy cooking and they like using technology to get things done optimally. By issuing voice commands to Alexa or Siri, millennials are able to find recipes in seconds and it guides them on a step by step process of cooking the recipe.

Using apps to track calories

Millennials grew up in an environment where being healthy was encouraged. Today’s hectic lifestyle has forced people to adapt to healthier foods. Because many millennials are concerned about what they put in their and their family’s bodies, they use apps to track their calorie intake. A number of helpful apps allow millennials to know precisely how many calories they’re consuming. This allows them to create a fitness regime and manage their health.

Enlisting the help of apps that deliver groceries

Cooking has been described as a zen-like experience by many millennials, however, buying ingredients and groceries are still regarded as chores owing to hectic work schedules. This is why millennials love using apps that deliver groceries to their doorstep. Even while cooking, if millennials learn they’re running low on supplies, they’re likely to immediately order using an app or by issuing voice commands to their phones.

Most people over 40 are less attuned to using technology and still cook, order food, and manage eating habits the traditional way. Millennials, on the other hand, are comfortable using technology in all aspects of their lives including the culinary space.

(The author is founder, Academy of Pastry Arts Group)