(Anonymous)
I can see reasons as to why one might see it this way - but I think it may also depend upon Mrs Evans. Snape was at their house (at least once), since he was with Lily when they found Albus' reply to Petunia's letter.
I think that anything he ate at the Evans house might have seemed like the most wonderful meal in the world - what with two loving parents presiding over it. But I doubt he learned to cook until he was on his own post-Hogwarts.
I think he first approach would have been a simple cookbook. It has recipes that can be followed and so he should show competency rather quickly and then move to experimenting. Altho' I agree that once Lily died he was probably too depressed to continue. But for those few years between, I think he might have learned. He might have found it 'soothing' like he seems to feel with brewing.
Then there is also the point of changes in his 'persona' between SWM and the 'billowy' confident Snape we see as an adult. He may be from the wrong side of town, but he usually speaks with a very nice accent and without a particularly 'northern' one. I think he did a fair amount of 'polishing' of himself to 'fit-in' better with the 'purebloods' - and let's face it, Narcissa knew exactly where his house was in that maze of roads. I cannot see him throwing dinner parties, but perhaps having someone over for tea which would require some baking?
And I agree that his 'healing' background would push him to go for the most nutrition per meal.
You know, there's a wonderful scene in a hurt/comfort fanfic called "The Birthday Present" by ExcessivelyPerky where Snape goes to a dinner party at the Malfoys, hosted by Voldy right after the fight in the Dept of Mysteries.
The party turns out to be in his honor and while everyone else is having wonderfully exquiste french dinners - his was something like Steak and Kidney pie, because Narcissa knew he would prefer it and so that's what he got since he was the one being honored. And Peter Pettigrew remarks later that he wished he could have had the more homey fare.
Warning: if you decide to read the story, mentions of sexual abuse on a child (Snape) and and use of sex for spying purposes - but points for coming up with the concept of "Brewers Bog" and how most potions masters are probably pretty cranky from all the fumes they inhale.
Anyways - pertinent to this discussion - I like him preferring the simpler food, but it also gives a look at how he probably had to 'learn' his manners and much more to attempt to fit-in. In which case, I can see him learning how to make certain dishes just so he could have a practice run before having to eat them at a Malfoy Dinner party - things like escargot, steak tartare, possibly even sushi once the '80s hit (especially so he could learn to use chopsticks). -- Hwyla
I think that anything he ate at the Evans house might have seemed like the most wonderful meal in the world - what with two loving parents presiding over it. But I doubt he learned to cook until he was on his own post-Hogwarts.
I think he first approach would have been a simple cookbook. It has recipes that can be followed and so he should show competency rather quickly and then move to experimenting. Altho' I agree that once Lily died he was probably too depressed to continue. But for those few years between, I think he might have learned. He might have found it 'soothing' like he seems to feel with brewing.
Then there is also the point of changes in his 'persona' between SWM and the 'billowy' confident Snape we see as an adult. He may be from the wrong side of town, but he usually speaks with a very nice accent and without a particularly 'northern' one. I think he did a fair amount of 'polishing' of himself to 'fit-in' better with the 'purebloods' - and let's face it, Narcissa knew exactly where his house was in that maze of roads. I cannot see him throwing dinner parties, but perhaps having someone over for tea which would require some baking?
And I agree that his 'healing' background would push him to go for the most nutrition per meal.
You know, there's a wonderful scene in a hurt/comfort fanfic called "The Birthday Present" by ExcessivelyPerky where Snape goes to a dinner party at the Malfoys, hosted by Voldy right after the fight in the Dept of Mysteries.
The party turns out to be in his honor and while everyone else is having wonderfully exquiste french dinners - his was something like Steak and Kidney pie, because Narcissa knew he would prefer it and so that's what he got since he was the one being honored. And Peter Pettigrew remarks later that he wished he could have had the more homey fare.
Warning: if you decide to read the story, mentions of sexual abuse on a child (Snape) and and use of sex for spying purposes - but points for coming up with the concept of "Brewers Bog" and how most potions masters are probably pretty cranky from all the fumes they inhale.
Anyways - pertinent to this discussion - I like him preferring the simpler food, but it also gives a look at how he probably had to 'learn' his manners and much more to attempt to fit-in. In which case, I can see him learning how to make certain dishes just so he could have a practice run before having to eat them at a Malfoy Dinner party - things like escargot, steak tartare, possibly even sushi once the '80s hit (especially so he could learn to use chopsticks). -- Hwyla