How My Mom and Grandmothers Nurtured My Love for Cooking

My passion for cooking began at a young age, thanks to the culinary influences of my mom and grandmothers, both of whom are exceptional cooks with a love for baking.

My grandmothers played a pivotal role in nurturing my love for the kitchen. Grandma B., a mother of eight, mastered the art of cooking for large gatherings effortlessly. Her pies, a family favorite, have become my signature dish, and Ryan loves them just as much as I do!

Meanwhile, my Grandma W., who grew up in West Virginia, learned to cultivate and cook her own food from an early age. Her self-sufficient lifestyle, now rare in our society’s pursuit of convenience, inspires me to return to simpler, more wholesome ways of living.

Despite being in their 90s, both grandmothers remain actively involved in the kitchen, baking and cooking delicious treats for their families. Their ongoing vitality and dedication to cooking serve as a testament to the joy and fulfillment that come from preparing home-cooked meals.

My mom, on the other hand, turned her love for cooking into a full-time career. She owned multiple restaurants during my childhood and into my adulthood. Her confidence in the kitchen is something I deeply admire; she could take the most random ingredients and turn them into a delectable dish. Her creativity and ability to devise the best specials for her restaurant have always inspired me to be adventurous and inventive in the kitchen.

Through the influence of my grandmothers and my mom, I’ve learned that cooking is not just about feeding the body but also about nourishing the soul and creating cherished memories. Their love for the culinary arts has instilled in me a deep-seated passion for cooking, one that I hope to pass down to future generations.

I’ll be sharing some cherished family recipes from these incredible women. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!