Show me how

There are all sorts of ways to learn how to cook: a father holds his child’s wrist to show her how to stir the pancake batter, a chef instructs an apprentice in a cooking school. There are also cookbooks and home economics classes and people with a passion for food who share their recipes on television and in social media outlets.

Recipes may be shared orally or written down (with more or less detail!). They describe the ingredients, amounts, techniques and cooking times required to faithfully replicate a particular dish. In fact, if the chocolate cake or the chicken pot pie tastes a little different than usual, the cook is sure to hear about it from the guests around the table! 

We all cook to find the balance between tradition and innovation. We may want to revive a forgotten recipe or marvel at a new twist on an old favourite or a brand new dish. All these ways to transmit knowledge and skills build the food heritage.