Chapter 43

Mikayla's POV
“How was your day today?” Rudolf asked, full of concern.
“It was fun, I love painting!” I replied cheerfully, unable to hide the overflowing happiness in my heart. “I learned a lot of new techniques, and it was so exciting!”
Rudolf smiled widely. “I’m glad to hear that! Painting is a beautiful way to express yourself. I’m sure you’ll get better at it,” he said, giving me the support I always needed.
Besides painting, I was excited because tomorrow I would be starting a new lesson. I had signed up to learn to cook with a professional chef. My days were now filled with activities that made me feel alive and more developed.
“And tomorrow, I’m switching to cooking lessons with the chef, so my days will be even more filled with fun activities!” I continued, sharing my enthusiasm about my plan.
“Wow, that’s great! That’s so cool, Mikayla! Why don’t we cook together and make it a fun family time?” she offered, coming up with a great idea from her perspective.
I nodded, excited about the concept of cooking together as a family. “That’s a great idea! Once I learn to cook, we can create dishes together and invite the kids to get involved,” I replied, imagining a wonderful moment together in the kitchen.
With this positive energy conversation, I felt like I had rediscovered my passion for learning and experimenting—not just in painting, but also in the culinary world. This moment not only illustrated my personal journey but also my family’s journey of growing together.
Tomorrow was going to be a fun day in the kitchen, and I couldn’t wait to see what we could cook together.
“Thank you for always supporting my happiness, Rudolf. It means a lot to me,” I said sincerely, stroking his hand.
“You’re welcome, honey. I will always be here to support you,” he replied, giving me encouragement that always warms my heart.
The next day, I was ready to welcome my chef, Chef Amarta, who was a professional chef that I had specially invited for this cooking lesson. With excitement, I opened the door when he arrived.
“Welcome!” I greeted, smiling widely and feeling a thrill of enthusiasm in my heart.
Chef Amarta entered with confidence and enthusiasm. “Thank you very much, Mikayla! It’s so nice to be here. Today we will get to know each other and start our journey in the world of cooking,” he said while carrying his equipment bag.
I felt excited to hear that. However, before we started, Chef Amarta told me, “Today, we will not be cooking but rather an introduction to techniques and some important theories that will be the basis for starting.”
“Oh, okay! I am very curious about the new techniques that will be taught,” I replied, listening to every word attentively.
She began to explain various basic techniques in cooking, some tools and ingredients that are often used, and how to choose fresh ingredients.
“Cooking is not just about following a recipe, but also understanding the ingredients and techniques involved,” Chef Amarta explained, exuding his expertise and experience.
During the session, I listened intently, observing everything he taught and taking notes of every important point. He explained how to master the knife properly, how to cut vegetables, and the importance of good cooking techniques.
“I will also introduce you to various cooking methods, such as steaming, frying, and grilling. Each technique will give your dishes a unique taste and texture,” he continued, with infectious enthusiasm.
Hearing all this information made me even more excited. I knew that every new knowledge I gained would be useful for my future cooking experiences. This was a great start to prepare myself and create delicious dishes.
After the introductory session was over, I felt inspired. “Thank you, Chef Amarta. I can’t wait to practice everything you’ve taught me,” I said excitedly.
“I’m also very happy to be able to teach you. Let’s schedule a practical session in the next class!” she said, exuding positive energy.
I went shopping with Chef Amarta. Today was great, because I got the chance to learn firsthand about choosing fresh, quality ingredients for the dishes we will be making in the next session. The next day, I still have cooking lessons, and right now, I need to prepare all the necessary ingredients.
Arriving at the supermarket, the atmosphere was lively with the various aromas and colors of the ingredients available. Chef Amarta's warmth and enthusiasm gave off a positive aura as we walked between the shelves.
"Okay, Mikayla, let's start with the vegetables. The quality of vegetables is very important in cooking. When choosing vegetables, make sure to pay attention to the color and firmness," Chef Amarta explained while pointing out some vegetables.
I looked at the vegetables that were neatly lined up. "Like here?" I asked, showing a bunch of broccoli that looked fresh and green.
"Yes, exactly! Choose vegetables that are brightly colored and not wilted. This broccoli is very good, and makes sure the stems look strong," she explained.
We then chose various types of vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini.
After that, we moved on to the spice rack. "Fresh spices also play an important role in cooking. Try to choose fresh herbs, such as basil, rosemary, and thyme,” she said, demonstrating how to check the aroma of the herbs.
I took a few sachets of the herbs and inhaled the pleasant, fresh aroma. “It creates a different flavor in the dish, doesn’t it?” I asked.
“That’s right! The original flavor of quality ingredients will have a big impact on the dish,” Chef Amarta replied with a proud smile.
After going around a few times, we collected all the ingredients—vegetables, herbs, and some other ingredients such as meat, pasta, and spices that would be used for tomorrow’s cooking session.
With a shopping basket full, I felt happy and satisfied. This activity gave me the opportunity to learn to love the process of choosing good ingredients, which is an important part of cooking.
“Tomorrow, we will use all these ingredients to cook a delicious dish, and I’m sure you will enjoy the process!” Chef Amarta said, adding enthusiasm.
“Thank you very much, Chef Amarta. I really appreciate your help and guidance,” I said, feeling the enthusiasm within me.