I’ve been seeing a lot of slow cooking challenges popping up lately,usually centered around a specific ingredient or cuisine within a time limit. And while I appreciate the enthusiasm and creativity, I’m starting to wonder if these challenges are actually *helpful* for improving cooking skills in the long run.
It seems like the focus often shifts to speed and ticking off boxes rather than learning essential techniques or understanding flavour profiles. Are people truly experimenting and learning about, say, different cuts of meat best suited for slow cooking, or are they just throwing things in a pot to meet the deadline? I worry that the pressure to participate and post a “accomplished” dish might discourage some from experimenting freely and authentically.
I’m curious to hear what others think. Are these challenges beneficial for inspiring creativity and broadening horizons, or do they sometimes prioritize quantity over quality in terms of learning and skill progress? Maybe it depends on the individual’s prior cooking experience?