When I was a little girl, my brother and I would always cook for our parents, who came home late, so we could have dinner ready for our siblings. I was seven, and my older brother, Michael, was eleven. We would cook, set the table, and eat together.

As I got older, I continued cooking. I used to prepare meals for my grandmother, my mother, and my sisters and brothers. Eventually, I took on the responsibility of cooking for family gatherings and holidays. Christmas was always our favorite time of year because we would cook all kinds of food. It was the best season for us.

Even back then, I was creating my own recipes. When we had church gatherings, I would cook for the entire congregation, and everyone loved my food. When I got married, my husband and his family also enjoyed my cooking. I prepared meals for family get-togethers, birthday parties, and holiday celebrations. Christmas was always special because I not only cooked delicious meals but also set beautiful tables and decorated the house. Cooking, to me, has always been about love—if love isn’t put into the food, it simply won’t taste right.

As my children grew older, they, too, loved my cooking. Even people from their school were eager to try my food, which I found amusing. Once, I had a little issue with my daughter, and three principals came to my house to discuss her grades. They were kind and understanding. Wanting to make them feel welcome, I set a beautifully arranged table, prepared a special hot tea I had created when I was young, and made my best Gypsy Noodle Cake.

By the time they finished their meal, they had nearly forgotten about the reason for their visit. They gave me only a warning about my daughter’s grades, as they were too captivated by the food. They even asked me to cook for school holiday events because they loved my hospitality and the warmth I brought to my cooking. It truly touched their hearts.

One of the principals even suggested that I open a restaurant because everyone loved the way I cooked. For some reason, my food always seems to connect with people and bring them back. Cooking has always been more than just preparing meals—it’s about bringing people together, sharing love, and creating unforgettable memories.