Dear Dorothy,
I am in my late twenties and I have a confession to make: I do not know how to cook.
Growing up, my parents handled most of the cooking and I never really showed much interest in learning. During university, I survived on takeaways, instant meals and food from restaurants. Now that I am older and living on my own, I realise how much I depend on buying food.
The problem is that I feel embarrassed. Most of my friends can prepare at least a few meals, while I struggle with even the simplest recipes. Whenever I try to cook, I worry about getting it wrong or wasting ingredients. Sometimes I avoid trying altogether.
Is it too late for me to learn? How can I overcome my fear of cooking and become more confident in the kitchen?
Signed,
Katherine
Dear Katherine,
First, let me reassure you that you are far from alone. Many adults reach a point where they realise they never learned how to cook. It may feel embarrassing, but it is not something to be ashamed of.
The good news is that cooking is a skill, not a talent people are born with. Like riding a bicycle, driving a car or using a computer, it can be learned at any age with patience and practice.
Start small. You do not need to prepare a three course meal on your first attempt. Choose one simple dish that you enjoy eating. It could be scrambled eggs, pasta, rice and stew, or a simple soup. Focus on mastering one recipe before moving on to another.
Remember that mistakes are part of the learning process. Every experienced cook has burnt food, added too much salt or forgotten an ingredient at some point. These mishaps are not signs of failure. They are lessons that help you improve.
You may also find it helpful to watch cooking videos, attend a beginner’s cooking class or ask a friend or family member to teach you a few basics. Learning alongside someone else can make the experience less intimidating.
Another useful tip is to keep your expectations realistic. Your meals do not need to look like the ones in glossy magazines or on social media. The goal is simply to prepare food that is nutritious, enjoyable and made by you.
Most importantly, be kind to yourself. You are not behind in life because you cannot cook. You are simply at the beginning of a learning journey that many people start later than expected.
A few months from now, you may look back and be surprised at how far you have come. The only way to become a confident cook is to begin, one meal at a time.
Regards,
Dorothy