For me, cooking is very connected to my family and friends.
I like being home for dinner.
Food is celebratory. People who don't cook don't know how much fun they're missing.
Food is about communal togetherness. Our family does sit at the table. I think it's a great tragedy if a family doesn't have a table, as there is such an atmosphere of good will and warmth when we have eight people sitting around it.
Food is kind of the conduit that brings people together.
All of my youth growing up in my Italian family was focused around the table. That's where I learned about love.
I think perhaps we all cook to feed some kind of hunger in ourselves. I am nourished by being surrounded by family and friends, by creating something delicious for them, by nurturing them.
This shared love of cooking and celebration has allowed me to create a strong bond with my family.
I call it soul food, and I call it compassion food because it kind of bonds loved ones together. It kept families together for a long time.
To me, the kitchen is a place of adventure and entirely fun, not drudgery. I can't think of anything better to do with family and friends than to be together to create something.
