The Best Cook In The World

Yesterday was my mother’s birthday. As usual, I didn’t remember the date (I mistakenly sent her the birthday present last month). I knew that it was the day after my little sister sent me text message, “Hei Suk, today is Mom’s birthday. Don’t forget to wish her happy birthday, ok..”.

Then I wished her a happy birthday and asked what they were going to have for dinner. In my family, when someone celebrates birthday, we used to have special dinner. Mom, helped by my sisters will bake birthday cake and cook a special menu for dinner. Mostly it will be either “ayam gulai” or “ayam panggang”.

I miss those foods. I miss those times. My mother is a very good cook. The best cooking I ever had in my life so far. Her “ayam gulai” , “sambal teri” and “rendang” are among of my favorites.

We don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone. I never really paid good attention on the art of cooking. For me, it was an ordinary activity. You cook, you eat, and that’s it. Now I realize that it is an art.

Away from home country, sometimes I missed the Indonesian food taste. In early months living in Japan, I tried to counter that missing feeling by cooking Indonesian food. And I failed ;p. It tasted not very nice. And now, I seldom cook my own food. I just eat outside. Once, a Singaporean girl who stayed in the same dorm with me asked, “Ericson, why do you always eat outside, even for weekend. You should cook, you have time for it.” To which I answered, “You want to know why I don’t cook Wan Hui? If you cook, you must prepare the ingredients. Let’s say, you need 15 minutes to do it. And then you need to cook for, let’s say 20 minutes. So, you need at least 30 minutes before you get the food ready. And you know, it will only take you 5 minutes to eat the food you just cooked. That’s the math there ;p. And that’s not all. After eating, you will need to wash all the utensils you used to cook the food!”.

Of course it’s not a serious answer. The real answer is because I can’t cook. So, I really appreciate and respect all those people who can cook well. You’re all artists!

While I’m at it, I would like to dedicate this simple writing to my mother, the best cook in the world. “Happy birthday Mom.. God bless you always. I miss you and your cookings. Unfortunately your son is not inherited with your talent.”