Member-only story
The Bear Brought Me Back to My Dream of Being a Chef
The kitchen was my happy place and it still is
After my parents divorced when I was 2, I spent every other weekend with my Dad. I had the freedom to be myself on those weekends.
My fascination with cooking began during those weekends when I got a little older.
I remember when I wanted to become a chef. I was probably 8 and playing restaurant was my favorite pastime. Making food made me feel creative.
I remember the feeling, where I was, and what I was making.
I would rather cook than craft and I still feel the same way.
During weekends at my Dad’s, I could be myself. I was able to let my creativity flow without the worry of upsetting anyone with a mess. My critics were sweet and they even offered to help clean up.
I would write up a menu and deliver it to them, taking their order and promising their food to be “right up”. I got to work as fast as my hands would let me and whipped up what I thought was a masterpiece.
My love for cooking began in my dad’s and his fiance’s townhome in a lovely area of California. Soon they were married and she became my mom. My mom loved that I wanted to cook because she would rather craft than cook.
