‘Cowboy’ Kent Rollins says phones at the dinner table are hurting American families

“Cowboy” Kent Rollins has been cooking on farms across America for decades, but his message goes far beyond cast-iron skillets and campfire tips.

The longtime Chuck Wagon cook and TV star is urging Americans to leave their phones at the dinner table, saying the habit weakens family ties.

“There are more people sitting at the table now, whether it’s at a restaurant or at home, holding a cell phone instead of a fork,” New Mexico-based Rollins said in an interview on Fox News Digital.

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Rollins, known for his appearances on the Food Network and his Outdoor Channel show “Cast Iron Cowboy,” said he believes the simple act of coming together to share a meal without digital distractions can strengthen families and communities.

“America would be a better place if we all gathered around the table, took off our hats, held hands, thanked God for what we have and the blessings we receive each day, thanked Him for the food and the hands that prepare it,” he said.

As modern life becomes increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven, Rollins suggests returning to more traditional mealtime habits, which she says can have a meaningful impact.

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“The world has kind of moved away from that, but let’s all get together at that table,” he urged.

According to a YouGov survey conducted last year, approximately 55 percent of Americans say they eat dinner with their family, while 63 percent say they watch television during the meal, 28 percent say they use their phone, and only 41 percent say they talk to others at the table.

Screens often compete with dinner conversations, according to a survey. (iStock)

But for Rollins, the dinner table has long been much more than a place to eat.

“As my mother said, it’s not the legs of the table that hold it up,” he recalled. “The family around him.”

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That means, “Keep the 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 would gather in the kitchen to prepare and share meals together.

Some of Rollins’ fondest memories are of family gatherings over Sunday dinners after church, similar to the scene shown here. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

“Whether it’s a good ol’ pot roast that they pull out of the oven or a double-fried chicken with gravy and mashed potatoes and beans and bread and shoes and you sit down — it’s family,” he said.

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Those moments go beyond nourishing the body, he added.

“Not only does it nourish your stomach, but you also get the connection you need from other people to give you strength,” Rollins said. “You shared a story, you shared laughter, and you shared love.”

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Even as he shares his cooking tips, from simple oven-baked ribs to proper grill care come spring, Rollins grounds his approach to food in simplicity.

Food shouldn’t just nourish the body, Rollins said. It should bring people together. (Outdoor Channel)

He’s spreading this message through his growing platform, including his YouTube channel with millions of subscribers, his Outdoor Channel series, and his new podcast, “Cowboy Coffee Time,” which he co-hosts with his wife.

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“If cooking was really hard, I would never be able to do it,” he said. “Life is simple, and don’t make it difficult to cook with.”

He added: “Gather your friends and family around the table, bless the meal and have a good time because summer is coming and it’s time to eat.”