Overview

It was year 2007 when I first tried cooking. Before that, I don't really cook. But if you'll consider frying eggs and hotdogs and boiling water as "cooking" then, yes, I'm cooking, hehe. I was in my boyfriend's, now my husband, house that time. I don't know what came to my mind or what motivated me. All I know is I wanted to cook at that time. I wanted to surprise and at the same time impress my then boyfriend that time that I can cook. So, I called my Papa and asked for instructions on how to cook Pork Adobo. Yes, Pork Adobo is the first viand I've cooked. I listened intently to all his instructions. After our phone conversation, I started secretly preparing to cook. I'm having mixed emotions that time. I'm feeling nervous, excited and happy. I'm praying so hard that my adobo will turned out well. After I'm done cooking, I prepared the dining table and served the food. Then, I called my then boyfriend and told him that I cooked adobo and he should try it. Upon hearing what I said, his first reaction was to laugh because he knows that I don't cook and he can't believe I cooked something. Then he said, "Sige nga, tikman natin 'tong adobong niluto mo". He tried a spoonful of my adobo with rice and after tasting he said, "Sure ka, ikaw nagluto nito? Ang sarap kasi eh!" Wow, it's really music to my ears after I heard his comment. I was so happy not only because my then boyfriend liked my adobo but also because I've proved myself that I can learn how to cook.

And that moment has been a life-changer to me and the start of my cooking adventures. Before that, I never imagined myself cooking and now it's been 8 years already that I'm cooking for my family, loved ones and friends. I never thought that it will be possible for me to learn how to cook but as they say, there's nothing impossible as long as you believe you can do it and you put your heart into it. I have no formal culinary training/education but I wish to have one someday. I just buy and collect cookbooks, search online for recipes that interest me and subscribe to magazines like Good Housekeeping, Smart Parenting and most especially, Yummy where I've tried many of its recipes. Also, I'm not afraid to try and experiment on new dishes and make mistakes. There are times that I fail to acquire the right taste of the dish but it didn't stop me from trying over and over again.

I wish that my story may inspire others who doesn't know how to cook to give it a try. At first, you might feel scared to make mistakes. But don't give up and just keep on trying and believe in yourself that you can do it. Especially for wives and moms like me, it is important for us to know how to cook so we can better take care of our family's health and nutrition. Happy cooking!