Burnt Rice and Other Ego Bruises

Sep. 12 - If you followed along with my summer, you'd know that I've made some pretty good meals, and I'm not here to say that I'm now an experienced chef, but I'd like to say I know my way around the kitchen more than your average college student.

Now that I'm done defending myself, I will admit to you that tonight I burnt rice. I followed the instructions on a box of Minute-Rice, and I found a way to burn it. I was basically the intro video to a Nailed It episode. Let me tell you, after a long day of classes, nothing bums you out more than failing at something so simple. Especially me, someone who has developed a bit of an ego surrounding cooking and food in general. But as always, and deservedly so, there's things like this that happen to snap me back into reality and to make sure I'm not taking myself so seriously.

I'm not one to get profound over small things, especially not something as unimportant as slightly crunchy rice, but while scrubbing the burns out of my good pan, I started thinking about my life, the little things that seem to keep me in check, and where I really want to end up. (I swear I'm not crazy, just tired.)

I really really want to work in food. I say that to people and they're usually confused, and immediately assume I want to be a chef. While I love cooking and am amazed by those who are good at it, I think I just want a job that puts me in a position to be around food and around all the types of people who make it. What I've figured out is that people are important to me in finding what I want to do, and using food to connect with them seems like a perfect fit. I'd love to work for a cooking show, or magazine, or a combination of all forms of media, and get to communicate with others by showing them what and where they should eat, what to cook, and in general, just sharing with them something I know they're going to love. For me it can be tough to imagine that a job like this could be a reality, and I often struggle with myself about whether I should keep trying for it.

I don't have any big conclusions to draw from this line of thinking, but burning the rice reminded me of all the other times I've felt a little beat down, and more broadly, the times that I've doubted my ability to pursue what I'm passionate about. I want to acknowledge that ego bruises happen to me, and to all of us, but celebrate that I'm still here writing and pushing for a future doing what I love. So if you're reading this, and you're in a similar situation, doubting yourself or stressing about the future, keep on keeping on through the burnt rice moments in life and hope along with me that there's a beautiful stir-fry waiting for us somewhere in the future.

#cherrytable #blog #cooking #burntrice