Food is loved universally. Each culture has different dishes that are appreciated and well, who doesn't love to eat? But the average person seems to view food as just a necessity and the process of cooking it can seem tedious or boring to most people. That's why things like microwavable TV dinners and instant pastas are so popular now; They’re getting their necessary meals without having to cook. But when did we forget that cooking is an art too? Not only that, but it’s incredibly therapeutic.

When I was younger I used to bake cakes or cook dinner for my family basically every other night. I loved the entire process, especially watching the people around me sincerely enjoy what I had created. Cooking took this place in my heart that was too big to share with anything else.

Then, as I got older, I was lucky enough to be able to attend a vocational high school where I majored in Culinary Arts. Taking a culinary arts class for three years taught me so much more than I ever knew I could learn. The class taught me how to cook. But what cooking taught me was who I really was inside.

Especially throughout high school, I have always dealt with a large amount of struggles. I was in and out of hospitals for many reasons but one being an anxiety disorder. I would miss class because it made me cry, and being that I went to such a large school, it was rare for me to ever not be terrified of walking through the over crowded halls. But each time I stepped into that kitchen, none of that mattered.

When I stood in there, something in me always just felt right. I learned to find peace within myself as I sliced through vegetables or even just stirred a pot. All of the craziness whirling through my brain managed to slow down. For the first time ever, I was calm. When I am cooking, everything goes silent because in that moment, me and those ingredients are all that matter in the world. Outside of the kitchen doesn’t exist and there is absolutely nothing to worry about besides making sure what I’m doing is perfect.

Cooking for me has become more than just some hobby. It’s a passion and it not only changed my life but it helped save it too. Knowing that I have the ability to turn a table of random ingredients into a dish that could make someone's taste buds melt, is the greatest feeling in this world.

I suggest for everyone to expand their horizons. Learn about more than just making mac&cheese. Take a class. Watch a video. Open up and learn all about the culinary world and just how amazing it is. I really doubt you would ever regret it.