Put down the spatula and pick up the wine because Thursday is National Men Make Dinner Day. Yes, this is an actual day and there are real rules to follow.
The holiday is celebrated on the first Thursday of November, each year.
If you're a man who normally cooks dinner each night, this holiday is not for you. If you're the man who rarely cooks dinner this holiday is 100% for you because it is time to change up the routine and it's your turn to cook.
Pick up the phone and call or text the man in your life. Let them know they have to stop at the grocery store and plan dinner for you and or the family. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy.
According to www.menmakedinnerday.com there are 12 rules to follow on this holiday.
The rules include everything from a minimum amount of ingredients to cook with, to rules for cleaning up. It's important to note that a barbeque is not allowed. Oh, and if your man is cooking for you, you're not allowed to complain about the dish.
What if the man in your life doesn't believe you? Just email them this article. Hey you, guy, this is real. Good luck!
OFFICIAL RULES (courtesy of www.menmakedinnerday.com)
Rule #1: National men make dinner day is always celebrated on the first Thursday of each November.
Rule #2: Man agrees to participate in national men make dinner day. Bonus points if he does so without seeking promise of night out with boys in return.
Rule #3: Man, completely un-aided, chooses a 'published' recipe from any source, or Internet. Getting the recipe from 'her' cookbooks is allowed, but man gets bonus points if the recipe isn't already somewhere in the house.
Rule #4: Main meal must include minimum of 4 ingredients and require at least one cooking utensil other than a fork
Rule #5: Man goes shopping for 'all' necessary ingredients. Bonus points if he takes inventory of cupboards and fridge first, before shopping trip. So you don't end up with two 64 ounce jars of pickled pimentos.
Rule #6: Man organizes all necessary ingredients in order of importance on kitchen counter. At this point, he may need to make a phone call or shout out the word 'honey'! Followed by a question. This is not allowed.
Rule #7: Man may, if desired, turn on radio or his favourite CD. Man agrees not to be within 30 feet of TV remote during cooking process. At this point, spouse and any other family members should not be anywhere near kitchen. (unless smoke detector goes off!)
Rule #8: Following recipe carefully, man starts to cook dinner! Apron is optional, (bonus points if recipe includes one of the following : capers, saffron, or the word 'scallopini').
Rule #9: Man must use the 'clean as he goes along' rule! Following each completed use of utensils, cookware, half-used jars of anything, spice bottles, etc., everything is rinsed, cleaned and put away
Rule #10: Man sets table, candles are lit, beverages are poured, no ketchup bottles, sour cream containers, or big boxes of salt on table.
Rule #11: Spouse and/or family members are served! This is an opportune time for a photo. Man is 'allowed' to gloat no more than three times during the meal. Family is encouraged to congratulate man on job well done. Family dog is not allowed to be secretly fed man's cooking.
Rule #12: After meal, table is cleared by man, dishwasher is loaded. Man returns to table for stimulating after-dinner conversation. At this point, man is told how much his meal was appreciated. He, in turn, describes the joys and challenges of the experience. He is given a hug, and his TV remote is returned to him.
