Cooking with Love:

A Journey of Family, Food, and Memories

My love affair with cooking began at the tender age of five when my parents bought me an Easy-Bake Oven. I delighted in creating delicious little cakes for my older cousin, whom I had a childhood crush on (don't we all have those sweet childhood memories?).

Growing up, my mom played a significant role in shaping my culinary journey. While not always a culinary master, my mom had her fair share of mishaps, from cinching off her own eyebrows when she blew the door off a gas oven to cooking a turkey with all the gizzards and stuff still inside. Despite these early setbacks, my mom's passion for cooking never wavered. Over the years, she taught herself how to cook and became a master at creating delicious meals.

One of the things that bonded us was our love of cooking shows. We would watch together, getting inspired by new recipes and flavors. It was during these moments that I learned the true art of cooking—how to experiment with flavors, how to be creative in the kitchen, and, most importantly, how to cook with love.

One of our most cherished traditions was baking dozens of assorted cookies every Christmas to give out as gifts to friends and family. These moments spent in the kitchen, baking and laughing together, are some of my fondest memories of my mother.

Even now, I continue to carry on my mother's legacy in the kitchen. I still have some of her special recipes, which I treasure dearly. For me, cooking isn't just about putting food on the table—it's about creating memories, honoring tradition, and cooking with love, just like my mom taught me.