“A recipe has no soul. You as the cook must bring soul to the recipe.”
Thomas Keller
It’s amazing how we can all follow a recipe or a set of instructions, yet the outcomes are almost as unique and individual as we are as people. Think about the ‘technical challenge’ in the Great British Bake Off. The contestants’ finished products are all so different even though they’ve all followed the same instructions! Or think about when you go to a painting class, and have a look at everyone’s paintings. They may be similar in composition (or not) but the colors, shades, lines, curves and textures are so varied.
When we create anything, not just food, we put a little bit of ourselves in the creation and there’s nothing really mystical about this at all! It reflects our interpretation of the task, our experience so far in that skill and our individual intention of what we want the outcome to be. Our creation is about as unique as we are and isn’t that just marvelous!
So revel in your individuality and what you create, it’s beautifully unique to you and probably can’t be replicated by others! And don’t let this dishearten you either, that your version wasn’t like what the recipe or instructions said. You can always work and improve on your individual skill to your heart's content but each attempt is your journey and your creation, and that’s what makes it so special.
What’s your favorite food to make that you put your heart and soul into? I’d love to know what food brings you joy!