Santana Floyd-Gowdy

What inspires me to cook is the experience of creating new dishes and honing my culinary skills and knowledge. Ever since I was young, I have had a passion for food and cooking. I love the creativity that comes with developing new recipes and combining different ingredients in unique ways. It is so satisfying to take basic foods and transform them into something delicious through careful preparation and cooking techniques. 

The process of cooking is like solving a puzzle to me. I enjoy thinking through how different flavors, textures, and cooking methods will come together. There is a real sense of accomplishment when an experimental dish turns out well. Cooking also allows me to learn something new with every meal I make. I am always looking for ways to expand my repertoire by trying new cuisines, ingredients, or cooking methods. Reading cookbooks and online recipes fuels my curiosity and inspiration.

More than anything, I love the discovery that comes with cooking. Tasting as I go allows me to fine tune a dish and get a feel for how different elements are interacting. I pay close attention to how ingredients change from their raw state to finished, and how cooking temperatures and times affect flavors and textures. Making adjustments along the way helps me refine recipes to perfection. The knowledge I gain from each cooking experience sticks with me and makes me a better, more intuitive cook.

Of course, sharing meals with others is a big part of what inspires me in the kitchen. I enjoy seeing people's reactions as they take their first bite of a dish I've prepared. Their feedback helps me identify what elements worked well and what could be improved. Most of all, cooking for the company of friends and family creates a feeling of warmth and connection. Knowing that I am providing an enjoyable experience for others through food is highly motivating. In the end, developing my culinary skills and knowledge allows me to not only challenge myself creatively in the kitchen but also bring people together over a delicious home-cooked meal.