My Mom kicked off the spark... It was due to Dr. Spock ( the child psychologist, not the Vulcan ). She read the following: If your child does not like a food, have them help you make it. Essentially something to the effect of, the idea that the investment they had in it, would make them want to enjoy the finished product, etc. And it would not be mysterious to them anymore, etc, etc.
I was not a fan of eggs as a small child (4ish, per the story). To this day, I dont eat plain eggs, they need to be part of something, or in something. a plain egg just isnt something I will eat. So my Mom, had me scramble an egg, and then (with her guidance) cook it up! I really enjoyed cooking it, and stirring up the egg with the wisk, so she thought sure I would gobble it up... I promply took the finished product and sprinkled it with some seasoning (probably Cavenders), and then presented to my Mom, with the statement" "Look what I made for you!!". I foiled her plan. but, that is the point at which she portends to have started my love for cooking.
I didnt pay much attention to the BBQ efforts from Dad until I was 10-12. and didnt really dip my toe in the waters of cooking with fire until I was 14-15. Now my Dad, Uncle, and other of their friends will tell you THAT is when I really got a love for cooking rolling.
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Mom wins the argument. I remember going to summer cooking and baking classes as a kid (instead of art/science stuff that the summer programs offered). I also remember just making things from random cookbooks for fun. Cherries Jubilee!, A mushroom chicken roulade, and a white wine vidalia onion risotto was the first dinner I cooked for my parents, if I recall. My sister would set out candles, and make a big "to do" about it (coloring menus too, if I recall)... and I put on the apron and chefs beret, cooked like crazy...
I have loved cooking as long as I can remember. Thanks Mom and Dad for fostering that! But I have to give it to Mom and Dad on all the fronts. They backed anything I wanted to do.... because I tend to be maniacal in my pursuit of things, they put up with alot. I was a musician (even minored in performance @ KU), I was in theatre (think lots of rehersals, as well as learning, lighting, sound, stage mgmt, and ITS troupe), I loved cooking, and I loved science. (had enough hours I Could have also had a minor in organic chemistry - sick huh).
So if I showed interest in something, they let it grow, which likely ate into alot of thier time, and money (among other things). So my parents are fine cooks, but also fine parents. and hats off to them everyday, not just fathers/mothers day. I think that gets us back to the beginning of the thread... father's day.
I was not a fan of eggs as a small child (4ish, per the story). To this day, I dont eat plain eggs, they need to be part of something, or in something. a plain egg just isnt something I will eat. So my Mom, had me scramble an egg, and then (with her guidance) cook it up! I really enjoyed cooking it, and stirring up the egg with the wisk, so she thought sure I would gobble it up... I promply took the finished product and sprinkled it with some seasoning (probably Cavenders), and then presented to my Mom, with the statement" "Look what I made for you!!". I foiled her plan. but, that is the point at which she portends to have started my love for cooking.
I didnt pay much attention to the BBQ efforts from Dad until I was 10-12. and didnt really dip my toe in the waters of cooking with fire until I was 14-15. Now my Dad, Uncle, and other of their friends will tell you THAT is when I really got a love for cooking rolling.
'
Mom wins the argument. I remember going to summer cooking and baking classes as a kid (instead of art/science stuff that the summer programs offered). I also remember just making things from random cookbooks for fun. Cherries Jubilee!, A mushroom chicken roulade, and a white wine vidalia onion risotto was the first dinner I cooked for my parents, if I recall. My sister would set out candles, and make a big "to do" about it (coloring menus too, if I recall)... and I put on the apron and chefs beret, cooked like crazy...
I have loved cooking as long as I can remember. Thanks Mom and Dad for fostering that! But I have to give it to Mom and Dad on all the fronts. They backed anything I wanted to do.... because I tend to be maniacal in my pursuit of things, they put up with alot. I was a musician (even minored in performance @ KU), I was in theatre (think lots of rehersals, as well as learning, lighting, sound, stage mgmt, and ITS troupe), I loved cooking, and I loved science. (had enough hours I Could have also had a minor in organic chemistry - sick huh).
So if I showed interest in something, they let it grow, which likely ate into alot of thier time, and money (among other things). So my parents are fine cooks, but also fine parents. and hats off to them everyday, not just fathers/mothers day. I think that gets us back to the beginning of the thread... father's day.