Looking back years ago and remembering how I grew in my family, I discovered that our culture is that food is much more than just a sustainability system, we actually see it as a bond. I mean a very strong bond. My mother who was a great cook in every way will make sure every meal prepared is worth it.
Among all the food she always prepares, one of them that always stands out for me is her jollof rice. Trust me even in the neighborhood, if you have not tasted mama Bola jollof, you have not tasted any correct and delicious food.
Making the transition when I actually moved from Lagos to another state because of working purpose, I make sure that I actually inherited my mother's cooking skills. But not until Reality really hit me so hard. I discovered that it was not actually so.
That reality went down when I first tried to cook a jollof rice. It turns out to be a bad luck type of food that even my fellow friends mocked me but well they do so politely.
It was during this cooking embarrassment I encountered that made me encounter one of my friends Jide. Jide and I were usually assigned to carry out a project together at the office so mostly we stayed late. On this fateful day, my stomach actually gave me a sign of serious hunger.
"Bola, Are you Hungry?" Jide asked me. And before I can even give an answer, he already brought out this lunchbox containing jollof rice. I took a bite and oh my God, I am already in heaven. The flavour is so tempting and the taste is just so delicious.
"Jide, Please who cook this jollof rice?" I instantly asked.
He smiled back "Of course I did"
I look at him in total surprise and shock. "Wow, you actually cook this food?"
Jide Laughed "Of course na, My mother trained me quite well. Do you want me to teach you Bola "
The week that follows specifically Saturday, I actually pay Jide a visit at his one bedroom apartment and of course with a jotter in a bid to learn something new today at least related to cooking.
Jide started with the basics for me which involves the measurements of the amount of rice, the necessary spices to use and also the right method to use. His lecture was brief and easy to understand and I can see he has so much passion for cooking.
As Jide keeps staring at the pot, he whispers. "Bola, do you know that cooking is like life which requires patience and the right timing to make everything right.
I actually picked that right from what he was saying actually.
Week follows and Jide gets to become much more than a friend but my own personal teacher. Our sessions keep growing and he keeps putting me through every section of the meal I need to learn.
Jide showed me that cooking goes beyond the recipe for the food but also to always find the right joy and passion even when preparing the meal. Truly, Cooking is actually life.