As the past lockdowns provided people with much time away from away from school, work and other commitments, it was common for people to take up new, or develop old hobbies in their extended free time. We saw the rise fitness fanatics, avid readers, dextrous knitters and ‘professional chefs’. I personally became the latter, finding new things to cook from time to time and capturing my creations.
My new found passion began to blossom around May in the first lockdown .I had gotten tired of eating similar meals each day so I wanted to try something new. I remember jumping into the kitchen at around 6pm and just knowing I was going to cook! I didn’t know what, and I didn’t know how, but I knew I was going to cook something. I ended up make a casserole type dish with turkey, broccoli, yams and sweet potatoes. I remember having had very much fun in my experimenting and from then on, the fun continued.
I discovered new cooking pages, the galore of recipes on YouTube and the uses of unfamiliar equipment in my kitchen. I baked unburnt cookies, learnt how to make a fluffy cake and finally made fried rice that wasn’t soggy! I improved drastically from my curious attempts of cooking as a child and can now pronounce myself; ‘a pretty great cook’.
Apart from whipping in the kitchen being fun, it was also extremely beneficial and rewarding in other ways. It provided an escape in difficult times, I could exert my depleting energy into cooking and feel capable and strong at the end. It allowed me and family to explore different foods, without the need for takeaways and restaurant dining (especially at a when many were closed). Another thing cooking helped me to do was find a passion. I now had a legitimate answer for when someone asked me ‘What are you good at?’. I had something to do in my freetime and something which I had great knowledge about.
My cooking journey is something I look back on fondly. It’s an example to me that truly, practice does make perfect! I have improved greatly and still continue to improve. There were many failed attempts, unsuccessful outcomes and troubles with technique but now, I can dice an onion without crying a river! In all honesty, I don’t regret my entering into the kitchen on that May evening. I’ve stuck with it ever since and hope to continue with it, maybe even professionally. It’s lovely that despite all the things lockdowns have taken away, they have also given people new experiences and opportunities.
