Stir the Passion

There are episodes in our professional career when we wished we would do what we thought we’re destined to accomplish; however time and again, the discernment of what our goal really is just neither on-point, nor well-timed.

Dropping what you own in exchange of something you’re interested in is an absolute gamble. We have a propensity to stick to what’s readily available or offered for the conventional reason that we don’t have other choices … or let’s say – our comfort zone prevents us from adapting to change or from trying new ventures.

Just like sketching, I began appreciating the art of cookery at a young age, while television shows offered limited cooking programs, not to mention the costly recipe books then. I recall, part of the manufacturer’s advertisement drive for canned goods included recipes and cooking tips, which I later collected and stacked. Yearning to perform a masterpiece in the kitchen was just my atypical aspiration – emphasizing ingredients’ price tags were impractical to sustain a young boy’s leisure pursuit.

When I moved to Iloilo City, I got exposed to bounteous seafood types and diverse cooking techniques that were (and still are) popular in the region. My outdoor job had proffered me with a variety of culinary traditions and trends, that surely ignited that fire in me to further love food preparations – adding my foster family was exceptionally good at it!

Earning from one’s hard work is another story: The stuff that we see on any cooking shows – the ingredients that we thought never existed – the spices that seemed unaffordable – the menus that appeared unachievable – the aroma that was only verbally described – and the many jargons that we heared from the professional chefs … all these components were just beyond reach until one’s passion for cooking became his happiness.

Getting friends savor your delicacy, hitting the grocery counter for fresh items, heating the pans for your own ‘mix and match’ (even without a strict procedure), all you need is fervor in stirring. Indeed, a recipe has no soul, you as the cook must bring soul to the recipe.

Bon Appetit !!!