Today, I attended a cooking workshop with an empty stomach, but left feeling filled to the brim from all the succulent recipes my peers and I had composed. I signed up for this workshop not only because I am a major foodie and Food Network fan, but also because I realized that, as a college student who might be living off campus at some point in the next few years of school, I would need to know how to cook meals for myself.

At this workshop, my friend and I paired up to make an Asian salmon dish with quinoa stuffing. It turned out very well, if I do say so myself. There are definitely some skills I need to improve on: chopping vegetables is one, as I nicked my finger with a knife whilst dicing an onion. Nonetheless, I realized during this workshop that I actually already do possess some cooking skills that I’ve absorbed from watching and helping my mom cook over the past 19 years of my life. For example, I knew that, even though the written recipe didn’t call for it, it was necessary to add salt to my quinoa to infuse it with adequate flavor. I also didn’t need to use instruments to measure all of the ingredients, because, over the years, I have gained a basic understanding and feel for what a cup, a tablespoon, and a teaspoon look like. It is relieving to know that, if need be, I will be able to cook myself a satisfying meal. Thank you, mom. I hope that when I have children, I can cook just as well as you do and teach these important skills just as effectively as you have to me.