Why is the dinner meal often considered the most overlooked?

The dinner meal is often considered the most overlooked because food is usually prepared in advance. This means that many aspects of the meal, such as meal planning, cooking, and presentation, can be completed prior to serving time, leading to less attention being given at the moment of dining itself. Since many food service professionals may prepare dinner dishes ahead of time, the actual dining experience may not receive the same level of focus or freshness as meals that are cooked and served right then, such as breakfast or lunch.

Additionally, pre-prepared meals can result in less interaction between staff and guests, potentially making the dining experience feel less engaging. The emphasis on preparation ahead of time may lead to a perception that dinner is routine or just "another meal," thereby contributing to it being overlooked in terms of creativity or culinary effort.

Other reasons, such as the cost associated with dinner, preferences for lighter meals, or guests not preferring to dine at that time all possess some merit in various contexts but are not the central reason for the dinner meal being overlooked. The practice of prior meal preparation stands out as the key factor in influencing the overall dining experience for dinner.