‘You need to learn what kind of cook you are in order to be truly happy in the kitchen.’ - Leticia Clark

I love a good quote. This one hit me hard when I read it recently and it’s one I’ve been sitting on and thinking alot about. Because it really is true and honestly, not a question I’ve ever really asked myself. Have you? I’ve always been drawn to cooking but I’ve realized I’ve never really thought about who I am in the kitchen.

And it’s the perfect question to ask in the world we live in today - where who we should be is told to us by so many sources. Good and bad. Information is coming at us from everywhere and as much as that’s amazing, it’s also overwhelming to think you need to be doing it like someone everyone else. It’s why discernment is one of the most important skills we can hone these days. So is listening to what we actually want from the inside rather than because we see someone else doing it on the outside.

What I do know is I never want to be a restaurant chef. Homecooking will always be my jam.

I know I don’t want to feel like cooking needs to be a performance.

I know I’m not one to meal plan in a really structured way or that I’m one for cooking the same thing over and over again.

The cook I am is one that shows people my love through food. And that includes me.

The cook I am is one that can fail time and time again but knows there’s lessons in the process.

The cook I am is one that knows I can make a bad day a little better by simply stirring the risotto.

The cook I am understands the mundane things like peeling potatoes can be part of what leads to an extraordinary life.

The cook I am knows making an omelette with intention is always enough.

The cook I am doesn’t take it so seriously.

The cook I am is always evolving.

The cook I am puts the same care into making a sandwich as she does a celebratory dinner.

The cook I am cooks with the same freedom making a fancy dinner as she does making soup.

The cook I am knows there’s beauty in the practice and it matters.

This might be different for you. And actually, I hope it is. Because when we understand the cook we are it changes the way we step into the kitchen. And into our day to day lives which is pretty special if you ask me.

What’s Cooking This Week: Your Own Kitchen Creativity!

Here’s your opportunity to learn the kind of cook you are by letting yourself just play in the kitchen. Can you create something without relying on a recipe? Can you allow yourself to experiment with a new flavour or let an ingredient inspire you? Or maybe work on dealing in your seasoning practice?

Listening to the Seasoning 101 podcast episode.

Experiment with braising - find some Braising Basics HERE.

Need a little Kitchen Creativity refresher? Listen to the Kitchen Creativity podcast episode.

Or have some fun exploring the Nourished page to find that hit of inspiration - there’s so much here to revisit!

One question to ask yourself that always helps is: How can I make it delicious?

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Ready to learn the pleasure and the principles of cooking well? THE CREATIVE KITCHEN is if for you if you want to learn some foundational cooking skills so you can find your own creativity and flow in the kitchen. Because that’s what it’s all about!

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