cooking at home: easy steps to build confidence and kitchen skills.

By Romi Stern, Project Officer, National Nutrition Foundation

Cooking is one of those skills that can completely change your life. It is a life skill that gives you independence, confidence and the ability to nurture yourself and others. From my time teaching high school food science, I’ve seen firsthand how empowering it is when people start to enjoy cooking for themselves. And the best part is that it is never too late or too early to start!

Learning to cook is like learning any new skill. You do not need to master everything at once. Begin with the basics and build your skills step by step. Be patient with yourself. Even the most talented chefs started by chopping an onion for the first time!

Think of your kitchen as a place to explore, not a test you have to pass. Keep the atmosphere light, put on some music and let yourself enjoy the process.

Start with simple recipes, and focus on meals you actually enjoy eating. When you love the food, you will love making it.

Cooking shows, online tutorials and recipe blogs can be wonderful sources of inspiration, but don’t feel you need to replicate everything perfectly. Take ideas and adapt them to your tastes.

The more you experiment, the more exciting cooking becomes.

You don’t need a kitchen full of gadgets to make delicious meals, but a few smart tools can make things easier.

My non-negotiables:

• A rice cooker takes the guesswork out of fluffy grains, and can be used for all kinds of tasty meals. Say hello to a delicious chicken and veggie ‘fried’ rice, whipped up magically before your eyes!
• An air fryer makes roasting, crisping and reheating simple and quick. I resisted the hype for years, but it’s now one of my most-used kitchen gadgets!
• A microwave is an essential, you’d be surprised at just how much it can really do!

Don’t underestimate the power of a reliable “go-to” dish. Something you can whip up without much thought will build confidence and give you a starting point for experimenting with variations. My go-to is a classic noodle stir fry loaded with veggies, chicken and a tasty sesame-soy-garlic sauce!

Before you dive into cooking up a storm, a few practical tips make a big difference.

• Keep knives sharp and handle them safely. Learn proper cutting techniques such as the claw grip to protect your fingers.
• Be careful with hot frypans and ovens. Use oven mitts and never leave your cooking unattended.
• Wash hands before handling food, keep raw and cooked ingredients separate and clean as you go.

Good habits help keep cooking safe and stress-free.

Cooking does not have to be a solo adventure. Invite family members or friends to join you in the kitchen. Kids love getting hands-on, and it is a great way to teach them valuable life skills while making memories together.

Even sharing a meal you have prepared is part of the fun. Good food brings people closer.

The best cooks aren’t afraid to make mistakes. Sometimes a recipe flops, and that’s okay. Every mistake teaches you something new, even burnt toast counts as character-building. Approach cooking with curiosity and a sense of adventure, you never know what tasty combos you might find!

Cooking is truly one of the most rewarding skills you can learn, no matter your age or experience level. It gives you the power to care for yourself and share that care with others.

This week, choose one recipe or technique you have never tried before. Keep it simple, have fun and love your cooking, because you deserve to enjoy every step of it!