I was never conditioned for making an impression on the kitchen. The fact is, I actually wasn’t expected to make anything edible at all. I was constantly told, “You need to marry a rich man or a chef.” It was assumed this would be my only means of survival due to my extreme inability to cook.

 

After years of being told I can’t cook, I took to those words as truth and they became almost like my identity. I even made the disclaimer, “when I get married, he has to be a man who isn’t looking for a wife who can cook, because he just won’t find that in me.” But who really needs a disclaimer when all I made for my fiance was quesadillas?

 

After getting married, my husband remained the same, loving me for who am I am, cook or no cook but I came to a point where my avoidance of the kitchen became more of a cover-up for my fear, frustration, emotional wounds being found out than anything else. I just decided one day, enough is enough, I love my husband so much and he deserves better, not a wife who is borderline having a panic attack while in the kitchen. More importantly, I decided I will no longer allow fear to have control over life, no matter what it is. It was never about trying to become the next Julia Child but to just cook something nice that I could share with my family and not need to see a therapist for afterward. I deserved at least that, and so did he.

 

I wish I could say the transition happened overnight but it didn’t and for that, I’m actually glad. Not only did I learn a thing or two in the kitchen but I actually turned my fear into a genuine love. I even joked that I may soon find wear marks on our wood floor from where I’m standing in front of the stove!

 

On top of that, my love of cooking couldn’t have come at a better time because now we have two small boys with big appetites!

 

All in all, here's my philosophy; food should be enjoyable, flavorful and memorable but most importantly, bring us together. So gather up the ones dear to you and let's make food you can't wait to share with others!

 

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