Cooking in and Cooking out

I remember I was quite amazed to realize that most of the chefs working in hotels and restuarants are men. I must have been eight or nine then. Growing up in a society which has very clearly defined roles for both men and women, I took it for granted that cooking was an activity reserved for the female half of the society. And mind you, I was quite proud of it! There was atleast one thing of absolute necessity that only women could do, and do brilliantly. But when it came to cooking for a salary, it was men again. What a disappointment it was, and such a paradox! When in the confines of the home, and for the family, cooking is a women's duty, and the kitchen her haven. Some of the best sops are written in the kitchen you know. But the moment it becomes a source of income and economic independance, it goes over in the male territory. My economics textbook lists household work as not being an economic activity, since it is done 'out of natural love and affection for the family'. I guess only women can work out of natural love and affection, not men...