'Cowboy' Kent Rollins says phones at the dinner table are hurting American families
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“Cowboy” Kent Rollins has spent decades cooking on ranches across America, but his message goes beyond cast iron pans and fire tips.
The longtime Chuck Wagon cook and TV celebrity is urging Americans to put their phones down at the dinner table, saying the practice takes away from connecting with families.
“A lot of people are sitting at the table now, whether it's at a restaurant or at home, with a cell phone instead of a fork,” Rollins, of New Mexico, told Fox News Digital in an interview.
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Known for his appearances on the Food Network and his Outdoor Channel show “Cast Iron Cowboy,” Rollins said he believes the simple act of coming together to share a meal without digital distractions can strengthen families and communities.
“America can be a better place if we gather around the table, take off our hats, hold hands, thank God for what we have and the blessings we receive every day, thank him for the food and the hands he has prepared for us,” he said.
“Cowboy” Kent Rollins of New Mexico wants Americans to put down their phones and gather around the dinner table. (Shannon Rollins)
As modern life becomes increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven, Rollins suggests a return to more mealtime habits, which he says can have a meaningful impact.
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“The world has moved on from that, but let's all meet at that table,” he urged.
While nearly 55% of Americans report eating dinner with their family, 63% say they watch TV while eating, 28% say they use their phones, and 41% say they talk to others at the table, according to a YouGov survey conducted last year.
Screens often compete with conversation at dinner, the survey found. (Stock)
But for Rollins, the dinner table has long served as a restaurant.
“As my mother said, it's not the legs of the table that lift,” he recalled. “It's the family around it.”
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That means “keep that phone in your pocket, enjoy the food and don't forget to bless it,” he said.
Looking back, Rollins said some of his strongest memories come from Sunday dinners after church, when families gather in the kitchen to prepare and share a meal together.
Some of Rollins' fondest memories are family gatherings during Sunday dinner after church, like the scene shown here. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“Whether it's an old pot roast they take out of the oven or fried chicken with gravy and mashed potatoes, beans, you know bread and cobbler, sit down — that's family,” he said.
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Those moments go beyond nourishing the body, he added.
“Not only is it feeding your belly, but you're getting that support you need from other people to give you strength,” said Rollins. “Share a story, share a laugh, and share a love.”
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Even as he shares cooking tips — from oven-baked ribs to proper grill care for the spring — Rollins upholds his easy-to-eat approach.
Rollins said that food should not only nourish the body. It should bring people together. (External channel)
He spreads that message through his growing platform, including his YouTube channel, which has millions of subscribers, his Outdoor Channel series and his new podcast, “Cowboy Coffee Hour,” which he hosts with his wife.
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“If cooking was really difficult, I wouldn't have succeeded,” she said. “Life is simple and don't make it complicated to cook.”
He added, “Gather your friends and family around the table, bless the food and have a good time because, hey, summer is coming, and it's time to eat.”
