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LETTER: Cook Food or Fast Food? | Are Antiguans Afraid of their Kitchen?

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Dear Editor,

It seems like the art of cooking at home is quickly disappearing in Antigua and Barbuda. Everywhere you turn, it’s fast food, delivery, or some fancy takeout. From Chinese to Syrian shawarma to chicken and chips to burgers and pizza, many of us are living on drive-thru diets. But the question is, why are Antiguans so afraid of the kitchen?

Once upon a time, cooking was part of our culture. Every house had the smell of Sunday pot roast, ducana and saltfish, or pepperpot bubbling on the stove. Now, even simple things like boiling rice or frying plantain seem like a challenge for some.

Yes, times have changed, people are busier, life more expensive, and convenience often wins. But it’s also about choice. We spend more on fast food in a week than it would cost to cook healthy meals for the family. And let’s not forget, many of these quick meals are loaded with salt, oil, and preservatives, good for the taste buds, bad for the waistline.

Cooking at home doesn’t just save money; it connects us back to our roots. It’s where we share recipes, laughter, and love. Maybe it’s time we put down the phone, pick up a pot, and bring back that home-cooked Antiguan flavour that once defined us.

So the next time you think of ordering takeout, ask yourself: is it that we’re too busy, or just fraid the kitchen?

Respectfully,
Shanicee Burnes

This story was first published by Antigua News on November 1, 2025: antigua.news/2025/11/01/letter-cook-food-or-fast-food-are-antiguans-afraid-of-their-kitchen. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Comments (13)

  • Antigua Surf November 1, 2025, 9:37 AM

    Terrible to say that Antiguans truly are afraid of what the stove can do!! Cookouts and takeaways cost more than the groceries you’d by if you have to do a budget. But hey, everybody wants the fast and easy way out! So who are we to judge Shanicee?
    Reply

  • Rhea November 1, 2025, 9:38 AM

    To the question, YES? But after all we work hard for our money so we have rights to spend it however we feel to.
    Reply

  • Nathan November 1, 2025, 9:39 AM

    What time is left to cook a meal, when you have to be at work for 8 and there until whatever time. Some people need the little rest in the morning time. Especially us with no children
    Reply

  • Wyze November 1, 2025, 9:49 AM

    What time do we have in this fast paced world? To make ends meet some of us have to juggle 2 and more jobs just to survive then add children!!! Many of us are single and it’s a real struggle. You seem to forget that those by gone eras, women were home not having a job of their own. Time was their luxury. Cooking 3 meals per day 7 days per week. Today we work so something” has to give” Did you consider that ????
    Reply

  • Tromos November 1, 2025, 12:40 PM

    When people have to get up early and go work where they having time to cook
    Reply

  • Ladygaga November 1, 2025, 12:58 PM

    We busy..so lids be eating kfc subway shawama pizza…nobody killing me
    Reply

  • Juju Bee November 1, 2025, 1:06 PM

    To each his own. Stop dictate what people should and shouldn’t do with their money
    Reply

  • Concerned Antiguan November 1, 2025, 4:30 PM

    Me ain’t fraid the kitchen… me fraid the grocery bill! 😂 But still, cooking home worth it.”
    Reply

  • Kimo November 1, 2025, 4:57 PM

    We need to bring back Home Economics in schools teach the youth that frying egg and boiling rice is life skills, not punishment.
    Reply

  • Unruly One November 1, 2025, 6:24 PM

    You couldn’t lie! These days people know every fast-food menu but can’t even make rice turn out fluffy. Time to bring back Sunday cooking lessons!
    Reply

  • Lena November 1, 2025, 7:56 PM

    I miss when Sunday was for big pot, family, and laughter. Now people just scrolling and ordering. We losing something important there
    Reply

  • Informed citizen November 1, 2025, 8:04 PM

    It’s not fear of the kitchen it’s time! People working long hours and just trying to survive. Convenience wins when you get home tired.
    Reply

  • Anonymous November 2, 2025, 8:20 AM

    When you done work a 12 hr shift for whatever reason who want to still stand up over a hot stove for another 1 or 2 to cook anything. Those who can, do and for the rest of us the convenience of takeout is good. It’s not abt being afraid.
    Reply

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