Cooking is a skill everyone should know so they can make their food in the time of need, I learned this over summer time when I realised I’ll be leaving to university soon and I need to learn how to cook so I can prepare food everyday for me. I knew nothing except how to start the gas hence it took me a month to learn the basics.

LO1: Identify your strengths and develop areas for personal growth

When cooking, I discovered a lot of things I could effectively handle and areas where I needed to grow. I was first terrified of working with the gas stove, which was my primary concern when I first began cooking. Furthermore, I was terrified that while frying anything, the oil would spray on me (particularly my hands), but I gradually learned to cope with my fear by cooking frequently, and the lockdown provided the best opportunity for this. I got better at this the more I fried idli and paneer and learned how to make round chapati at home.

LO4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Cooking became challenging when I couldn’t stick to a schedule or when I skipped making a food item that I had already prepared. Except for the lockdown period, my lack of time management and lack of a strong interest prevented me from remaining devoted to cooking. To be consistent in this activity, a commitment to setting aside time and viewing cooking as an enjoyable pastime was essential. Commitment and perseverance are extremely important to develop in any activity, and cooking is no exception. I personally cannot stay consistent in any activity unless it is a deep interest of mine, but cooking taught me that there are many areas of improvement that can only be refined and mastered if we commit ourselves to them

LO 5: Working Collaboratively with Others

Cooking is a social activity and I enjoy preparing meals with friends and family. I have honed my communication skills and learned to work effectively with others to achieve common goals, my mom helped and taught me everything I didn’t know and that helped a lot with cooking, also it was a nice method to learn because I learned the personal touch that is important while preparing for a meal.

LO 6:

Cooking is also an opportunity to discover different cultures and cuisines from around the world. I have become more aware of the diversity of food cultures and have learned to appreciate the unique flavors and ingredients that different regions offer. I learned that while making Italian food, it needs ingredients like cheese while while making Mexican food, It took more sauces. I learned that every cuisine has it’s town element that makes it special hence while cooking, I learned how to take care of it and made sure I cooked it correctly.

LO7:

Cooking means making decisions about the ingredients we use and how we prepare them, and I have become more aware of the ethical implications of those choices. I learned to consider issues such as animal welfare, workers rights, and use cooking methods that minimize waste and environmental impact. It was a valuable and enjoyable experience that taught me many things about the world around me. I decided to go vegan because I learned how some of the ingredients are made and I didn’t feel that it was right according to my religion.