Best way to get early complex food?

[Bartowski]

I am having a hard time getting complex food going. Any tips that would make it easier?

[mostly willing]

do you have field kitchen unlocked?

[Bartowski]

i think i unlocked it about an hour ago, havent had a chance to check it out though.

[Bartowski]

Ohhh, didn't realize you start with it! that changes things.

[arjensmit79]

You dont need to focus on getting it early.
Yes, sometimes i look at the first blueprints i see a ***jerky recipe, i see some meat or insects and i am producing complex foods 2 minutes into the game.
Other times, i get a proper recipe to efficiently produce complex food in year 4, or maybe even never at all and they eat basic food almost all game.
Complex food is not a goal. Its a means to a goal.

Other tip: focus on the easy ones. Jerky and pickled foods. (yes pickled may not seem easy, but you dont produce the containers yourself, just find or trade them)

The field kitchen is unfortunately rather horrible. It does not help you with food efficiency, (worker minutes spend per food) so only use it if you're desperate for some resolve. Although admittedly, i have not checked the efficiency of the porridge recipe since the latest patch that reduced its production time.