Food is a cornerstone of my culture. During the holidays, my grandmother prepares a large spread of jerk chicken, curry goat, oxtail, goat head soup, baked shrimp, rice and peas, and macaroni, just to name a few. At the dinner table, we catch up with relatives, share new accomplishments, and fill in the gaps that time has made. Even when holidays are far away, my grandmother cooks in big portions to share with family that lives close by. A pot of soup to warm the body, a jug of sorrel to enjoy, and a slice of cake as a treat for a particularly challenging week. So, I have always viewed cooking in a positive light but it wasn’t until I was older that I began to participate. 

Having the choice of when I wanted to learn how to cook undoubtedly contributed to my view of it as a relaxing activity. Many young women, especially in the Caribbean, are expected to help with cooking from an early age. It is a laborious task and as such, many view it unfavorably. I am fortunate that this was not my experience. I was kept outside of the kitchen so as to not interfere with the work going on. Still, I grew curious about the process through which ingredients were transformed into beautiful meals. How did they know how much seasoning to pour? Why was the fire so high for one dish and so low for another? How could they just glance into the pot and know that it was done? I was not tall enough to reach the stove, let alone peer into pots. I wondered if all would be revealed once I grew older. So, at twelve years old I informed my grandmother that I would be her new sous chef. 

Fast forward many years of mistakes, and I have reached a point where I can confidently say that I can cook. Even hundreds of miles away from home, preparing familiar dishes reminds me that I am never too far away. I start every dinner by sauteing onions and garlic just as my grandmother does and slowly incorporate my ingredients into the pot. I am sure to keep the heat on a medium-high, stirring as needed, but allowing the food space to cook. I often listen to music and just enjoy the stillness of the moment. To me, cooking is a form of meditation. I encourage everyone to try it out.