Something I get asked often by people in person and online is where did you learn how to cook and bake? Well, today I am answering that question!
In my October newsletter, I had a special section at the bottom telling all my subscribers about a fun new question series, Ask Alexis Anything! By the way, I share some fun stuff in my newsletter that doesn’t always make it to the blog, so make sure to sign up below. The next one will be coming out in a week or two! (with a delectable pumpkin spice latte DONUT recipe 😉 )
Being a chemist, I get asked some neat scientific questions by readers all the time. Some of them are so good, they are definitely worthy of a post. I will share some of those too!
Back to today’s question, where did you learn how to cook and bake?
The truth is, I am very much a self-taught, trial and error cook! In fact, it wasn’t until the middle of high school that I began forming an interest in it, specifically in baking. My mom always had certain recipes that she cooked, and they were amazing! She was not a baker though, and my family wasn’t big on sweets either.
My 85 year old grandmother is a fantastic baker. She makes pies, cakes and other treats weekly, even to this day! I lived far away from her though, so I didn’t grow up baking with her either. At my age now, I try to pick her brain for all her baking secrets!
So, in high school I took a nutritional food science class that required a huge project due at the end of the semester. We had to make our own cook book, full of our favorite recipes for all categories like dinner, breakfast, lunches, breads, desserts, etc. It had to look presentable too, so it ended up being like a scrapbook project. I started getting completely fascinated with recipes and how unique they were. I remember trying out a few for my family during Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Learning how to cook became an obsession that continued on through college. I loved the challenge of baking and spent hours watching the Food Network too. I was crazy enough to even take notes and print out any recipe I thought looked interesting. I kept adding it to my recipe book I made in high school.
When my husband and I got married in 2007, I was only 20 years old and still learning how to really be a good cook. I was still inexperienced to say the least! I have a funny story about that here! My husband is a total cookie monster, so I had to step up my game in the cookie department. I started experimenting with all types of methods and recipes, thanks to chemistry! Being a chemist really helped my precision in the baking department. I posted some chemist tips this week on my oatmeal raisin cookie recipe.
Now, over ten years later, I have definitely gotten most of my recipes down to a fine art. Especially cookies! People request them so much, I started selling them occasionally. Like the Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!
[Tweet “How a chemist learned how to cook!”]
Another sub question is, how can I learn how to cook? I definitely recommend watching videos and shows, even from people you know! I teach some of my friends how to bake and I even do stuff with my family so they can learn too 🙂
Do you have a question for a chemist? A writer? Or something about me? You can email chemistrycachet@gmail.com or fill out the form below!
Thank you to all your support on my first newsletter! I am so grateful for your kind words. I can’t wait to share the next one soon.
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
I wasn’t good at cooking when I just got married too♥♥
summerdaisy.net
Thanks goodness we get better 🙂
Hi Alexis… When I was single, I was so afraid of cooking on the stove because of little oil splatters hurt my arm (yes, I am a big chicken). I preferred baking. Then I got married – fast forward almost 2 decades and I’m much better at cooking, altho the oil splatters still hurt a bit. I’ve gotten no one sick with my experiments, altho I’m banned from making vegetarian lasagna for the hubby. Sometimes I use the oven, toaster oven, and stove top all at the same time, for the same meal – go figure. I learn from TV (Food Network), magazines, videos, and experimenting… Have a great day – the weekend is coming!
Thanks Laurie! I use a ton of stuff when cooking also lol. I’ve gotten better over the years and I love learning as much as I can! This weekend my mom and I are going to a cookie decorating class 🙂 Have a great day!
That’s so awesome that you’re pretty much self taught! I still think that it takes a special person to be able to know if certain things will work together when they cook, and I think that you sound like one of those people.
My mom was saying the same thing…she said no matter what she tried to teach herself, it just wouldn’t happen. So, you definitely have to have knack for it I guess! It is definitely a work in progress 🙂 Have a great day!
Wow, that’s impressive. I think it’s your knack for mixing things and knowledge of chemical compositions that make you natural in the kitchen. I’m self-taught and well, “cooking shows-taught” as well. 😀
I think you are right about that! I have always enjoyed “experimenting” with food especially baking 🙂 Cooking shows are the best!!!!
I don’t know cooking So I want to Learn looking but I don’t have time because my mom alone doing cooking, I want to help her. I think this may be helpful for me.
It definitely takes practice!