I was raised in a home where my brothers and I were served hearty homecooked meals by our mother. When my maternal grandmother was still here, she used to prepare her signature dishes for us when we go home to Batangas. Growing up, I never really thought about learning how to cook because there was an abundance of love through food in our family.
I guess the Filipino running joke, “Pwede na mag-asawa” usually told to anyone single when they produce a good dish has never been applicable to me. I have all the patience in the world for cleaning, washing, folding, and organizing, but not necessarily for cooking. Amusingly enough, I got married to a person who has an innate love for cooking, supplemented by his short course on culinary arts, that I was not forced to cook even more! I must admit though, my husband would always tell me that I need cooking skills for survival.
Now that we have a daughter, I would also love to replicate the “feeling of home” that my mother and maternal grandmother created through food. I’m sure her father can do it, but I would love her to have memories of good meals from her mother, too! I try as much as I can to learn from my husband, and from shows made available through the internet. Here are a few of them:
Simpol
Hosted by Filipino chef Myke Tatung, the show iterates the message sent by its name: that cooking Filipino dishes is simple! If you’re looking for a cooking show that’s non-intimidating and easy to follow, Simpol is for you! Don’t fret if you have zero experience in cooking, because watching the videos will push you to leave your excuses at the door and just get your hand on it! Chef Tatung throws in funny banters here and there as you watch the way he cooks Filipino viands and snacks. He also shares his tips and tricks to whip up your dishes in no time. This cooking show is a reminder that the difficulty we feel towards a new task might just be in our minds.
Panlasang Pinoy
When you step foot in a foreign place, the sweetest sound you’ll ever hear is the sound of your own language, and the most comforting food you’ll ever taste is the one most familiar. This is the concept behind Panlasang Pinoy, hosted by Chicago-based Pinoy food blogger Vanjo Merano. Through this cooking show, he shares Filipino dishes in his kitchen home away from home. With over six million Youtube subscribers, he has definitely made his mark not only with Overseas Filipino Workers but also with Filipinos here at home! This show echoes my feeling that food always brings people close to home. His use of the Filipino language adds to that feeling!
The French Chef by Julia Child
I’m such an old soul that I instantly fell in love with this series from the 1960’s to 70’s. There’s something about watching a cooking show in black and white that is so endearing for me. The show doesn’t feel intimidating at all primarily because Julia Child feels like my generous grandmother who doesn’t hold back any piece of information from her grandchildren. For example, in the episode where she cooked French Omelette, she took time to explain different kinds of pans and the proper way of holding a pan so transferring the omelette to a plate is smooth and neat! Julia’s calm and collected aura inspires me to take things one at a time. There’s no rush in learning a skill.
Masterchef Australia
Signature dishes, mystery box challenge, and tag team – if these sound all too familiar, then you’ve already seen a lot of Masterchef episodes! The time I started watching Masterchef years ago was the time I started wishing I had a pantry that extensive! With home cooks battling for survival in different challenges, the show has been a learning guide to its viewers all over the world. Judges from Masterchef Australia in particular are generous with their constructive feedback, allowing the cooks and the viewers to zero in on the lessons from the kitchen. This show continues to teach me the value of decision-making in cooking. We’re always just one decision away from a successful dish, or to any endeavor we wish to pursue.
The Final Table
Pairs of renowned chefs from all over the world compete in this series, and the last pair standing competes head-to-head. In the first round, these pairs of chefs prepare and serve their own version of the featured cuisine from a specific country. In the elimination round, the pairs compete for survival through creating a dish featuring an ingredient chosen by the chef judge. In this show, I learned that no matter how accomplished you are in the kitchen or in any field, there’s always room to learn. I see how the show is a humbling experience for such accomplished chefs, and it’s such an encouragement to moms like me who are just starting to learn their way around the kitchen. After all, humility is the beginning point of all learning. Don’t you agree?
Selena + Chef
“People who know me know that I love to cook. Except I have no idea what to do or how to do it.” Singer-songwriter Selena Gomez’s opening script in this series is no less relatable! Premiered during the height of the pandemic, this series proves how we could use our available time at home to learn any skill! Chefs teach her how to cook dishes remotely, mirroring distance learning in formal schools. It’s a light show to watch. Check out the episode where Selena cooked adobo and turon! I’m sure you’ll find yourself identifying with Selena’s first-time encounter with tools and ingredients one too many times. This show taught me that there’s no shame in not knowing what others do. We’re here to help one another anyway!
Li Ziqi
It’s true what they say: you can take a trip to a different part of the world through food. This is largely true with Li Ziqi’s vlogs. Set in rural China, Li Ziqi’s videos show her picking fresh ingredients, preparing and cooking them using traditional techniques, and presenting her rich culture through it all. Aside from cooking, the channel also presents videos on papermaking, sole shoes making, and dress making. For me, the absence of English translation in her conversations only heightens the videos’ charm! Li Ziqi’s videos emphasize the importance of patience in cooking and in many things you’re going after. It takes time for trees to bear fruit, it takes time to cook, and it takes time to learn new skills. Sometimes, the best thing to keep in mind as you’re doing things is don’t rush.
Gayyem Ben
Take a trip to Nueva Vizcaya Province and immerse in the endearing countryside life through Gayyem Ben’s vlogs! Stripped out of the extravagance of a tiled kitchen and branded equipment, the vlogs highlight the modesty of a Filipino home, schooling us that we don’t need expensive things to be able to cook. Watching the videos feel like watching a film: the authenticity of the environment and the warmth of the Filipino family are felt through the screen! Gayyem Ben’s cooking marries passion and skill, mastery and humility. If you’re overwhelmed by the amount of things you think you need to learn in cooking, the vlogs are a good reminder to start right where you are: your home.