I believe that the lack of food culture and riskiness in Buenos Aires cooking is due to many factors. The most important one being that cooking is considered by many porteños of middle and higher class to be best left to the maids .
For me growing up in an middle class greek cypriot family food was as integral part of our lives and was served with great pride by my mother who would spend many hours slaving over a hot stove. Her incredible dishes were worthy of the best greek restaurants and all our relatives and friends were all excellent cooks as well. There was an incredible sense of achievement in these elaborate dishes and there would be a great exchange of information about food and recipes.

Sadly many middle class people in Buenos Aires prepare the most simplest of dishes of steak, milanesas, chips and served with some icecream and dulce de leche for desert. Vegetables are considered an afterthought and heaven forbid preparing a three coursemeal for guests.