Is your father the confident 'Braai King' or the cool, laid-back 'Burger Dad'?
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and the type of dish he likes could sum up his personality perfectly.
With Father's Day around the corner, we decided to pay tribute to all the amazing dads by (over) analysing their favourite foods.
Here's what your dad's favourite dish says about him.
The Braai Dad
If there is nothing your father loves more than the smell of meat sizzling on a kettle charcoal grill, then he is 'The Braai Dad'. When he puts on that apron and whips out those silver tongs, he is 'the man' - untouchable.
He is confident that his lamb chops will be cooked to perfection. He knows how to manage flare-ups like a pro and multitasks several different meats and their required cooking time without checking his watch. He also tells the best stories.
Braai King
Despite mom doing all the prep work behind the scenes (cough), he is declared the 'Braai King' of your family's gatherings.
READ: Plan ahead for 'Januworry' with this cabbage braai recipe
The Curry Dad
'The Curry Dad' is a creature of habit. He loves a good Durban curry every day of the week. But just because he is the type of dad who sticks to a routine, it doesn't mean he eats his favourite butter chicken curry every day. He likes variety: prawn curry, beans curry, lamb curry, and fish curry. The hotter the better, because he likes to live on the wild side. 'The Curry Dad' can handle the heat - both at the dinner table and in the office.
The Samp & Beans Dad
Come rain or shine, there is nothing this dad likes more than a warm bowl of samp and beans. He loves his comfort food, and he has the patience to wait two hours for this slow-cooked meal to reach his taste buds. Add meat or fried eggs to the mix, and he'll show off his dance moves at the dinner table. This is his idea of soul food.
He also gives the best hugs!The Shisanyama Dad
You are probably thinking, "Wait, isn't a braai and a shisanyama the same thing?" No, it is not, and a visit to your local shisanyama will remove all doubt from your mind. The energy is different, the township street food flavours are explosive.
Curry Dad
'The Shisanyama Dad' is the life of the party and can strike up a conversation with complete strangers.
Yeah, an intimate backyard braai with family is great, but he did not come to braai meat. He came to eat, drink and be merry. No slaving away at a braai grill. The heavily basted and mouthwatering meat comes to you.
'The Shisanyama Dad' loves meat of all kinds, except minced meat, because that does not count. If you put a mince curry in front of him, it needs to have a side of steak, lamb, anything he can sink his teeth into.
The Sunday Roast Dad
'The Sunday Roast Dad' is a family man. He enjoys spending time with his family after a stressful week at the office, especially if it is over a 'Seven Colours Sunday' lunch.
'The Sunday Roast Dad' is a good listener, reliable, and kind. However, don't expect him to do anything after Sunday lunch, because he will be too busy sleeping off the amazing meal he just ate.
The Bunny Chow Dad
'The Bunny Chow Dad' is hands on. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty and has a good worth ethic. If anyone will get the job done, it's 'Bunny Chow Dad'. He doesn't shy away from messy situations, and uses his problem-solving skills to find a workaround.
Sunday Roast Dad
He also side eyes anyone eating a bunny chow with a knife and fork. Imagine!
The Burger Dad
'The Burger Dad' is a cool, calm and collected guy. He doesn't stress the small stuff and is down for whatever. When mom says, "I think we should order in for dinner tonight", he already has the local fast food eatery on speed dial.
He is the type of dad who dreams of winning the lottery one day, but the first thing he would buy with his winnings is his family's favourite takeaway. He is the definition of laid-back.
READ: Five amazing spots to get a burger in Durban
Regardless of which type of dad you have, make sure to treat the special man in your life to his favourite meal this Father's Day.
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Wait, isn't a braai and a shisanyama the same thing?
Why this lands now
It is easy to treat each new announcement as an isolated headline. The interesting part is almost always what it implies for everyone else operating in the same space.
The short version
- If there is nothing your father loves more than the smell of meat sizzling on a kettle charcoal grill, then he is 'The Braai Dad'
- Despite mom doing all the prep work behind the scenes (cough), he is declared the 'Braai King' of your family's gatherings
- READ: Plan ahead for 'Januworry' with this cabbage braai recipe
- Come rain or shine, there is nothing this dad likes more than a warm bowl of samp and beans
- 'The Shisanyama Dad' is the life of the party and can strike up a conversation with complete strangers
The questions it raises
What should you know about Bunny Chow Dad?
If anyone will get the job done, it's 'Bunny Chow Dad'.
Why does it matter?
just because he is the type of dad who sticks to a routine, it doesn't mean he eats his favourite butter chicken curry every day.
What happens next?
don't expect him to do anything after Sunday lunch, because he will be too busy sleeping off the amazing meal he just ate.
All told
Whether this marks the start of something larger or simply reflects the moment, it is a fair indication of the direction things are heading.