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What Cooking Taught Me About Problem-Solving
For me, cooking has been an unexpected teacher in problem-solving. From that one time, I put ginger and garlic in Beneseed soup (a Northern Cross River dish) 😂 to improvising when ingredients mysteriously disappeared mid-prep, cooking has quietly instilled lessons that extend far beyond the kitchen.
Not to brag, but I’m a great cook tho 😋🤭 and the people who’ve tasted my meals can testify to that 😂. So, I’m not just a tech sis I am also a part-time chef 😎. Please, the part-time chef is just for myself and my loved ones o😂. Before somebody comes and tells me I need 10 litres of soup 🤲 (just kidding, but not really).
Back to business, it’s not just about making delicious meals; it’s a dance between chaos and creativity, with a sprinkle of trial and error. Over the years, I’ve realized that the kitchen is where everyday life hacks meet real-world problem-solving. So, let me share some surprising ways cooking has sharpened my ability to handle challenges.
1. Start with a Plan (But Be Ready to Adapt)
Every great dish begins with a recipe unless you’re “freestyling,” which is another story entirely. You plan, gather your ingredients, and visualize the result. But as I’ve learned plans don’t always survive first contact with reality. Missing an ingredient? Improvise. Messed up the spice measurements? Adjust and move on.
There was a time I forgot to buy fresh tomatoes from the market for Efo Riro soup. I resorted to blending fresh pepper with tomato paste and used it in place of the fresh tomatoes. Surprisingly, it wasn’t bad.
The Lesson: Whether in cooking or life, having a plan gives you a sense of direction. But true mastery lies in the strength to adapt when things go sideways (like when you accidentally double the pepper in a stew).
2. Break Big Tasks Into Small Steps
Have you ever looked at a recipe with 15 steps and thought, “Where do I even start?” Same. But here’s the trick: don’t focus on the end goal. Start by chopping the onions, then boil the water, and boom! Before you know it, your masterpiece is coming together.
The Lesson: Tackling big challenges is easier when you break them into small, manageable steps. One onion at a time, literally and figuratively.
3. Timing is Everything
Cooking teaches you the delicate art of timing. Leave pasta in the pot for too long, and you’ll end up with mush. Pull cookies out of the oven too early, and they’ll still taste like dough. Timing isn’t just a skill in the kitchen it’s a survival tactic.
The Lesson: Solving problems often requires juggling priorities and acting at the right time. Knowing when to act (and when to pause) can make all the difference.
4. Mistakes Are Opportunities to Laugh and Learn
Let’s be honest: every cook has had at least one disaster that became a running joke. For me, it was the time I confidently added ginger and garlic to my native soup and served it to my roommates during my university days. Yep.
Mistakes like these can sting at first, but they’re the moments you look back on and laugh. And more importantly, they teach you what not to do next time.
The Lesson: Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also where growth happens. Plus, they make great stories for the group chat.
5. Collaboration Makes the Dream Work
Cooking for a crowd is like running a mini project. While one person handles the soup, someone else is chopping vegetables or setting the table. The more seamlessly you work together, the better (and faster) the meal comes together.
The Lesson: Problem-solving isn’t a solo sport. Teamwork and clear communication can turn even the most chaotic kitchen (or project) into a well-oiled machine.
6. Creativity Saves the Day
Have you ever had to make pancakes without eggs or spice up rice with only ketchup? Cooking forces you to think outside the box when you’re low on resources. Sometimes these “hacks” lead to surprisingly delicious results (and other times… let’s just say we don’t talk about those).
The Lesson: Creativity is your best friend when you’re stuck. Don’t be afraid to experiment you might discover something amazing by accident.
7. Celebrate the Small Wins
There’s nothing like when you finally nail that tricky dish or plate up a meal that looks as good as it tastes. Even when it’s not perfect, there’s joy in knowing you created something from scratch.
The Lesson: Celebrate progress, no matter how small. Whether cooking a decent meal or solving a tricky problem, every little win deserves a cheer (or a satisfied “Chef vibes 😂!”).
Final Thoughts
Cooking isn’t just about feeding yourself, it’s a crash course in resourcefulness, adaptability, and creativity. From the funny fails (ginger in Beneseed soup, anyone?) to the sweet victories, it’s a reminder that every challenge, big or small, can be tackled with the right mindset.
So, the next time you’re staring down a tricky problem, channel your inner cook. Take it one step at a time, improvise when needed, and don’t forget to enjoy the process. Who knows? You might just end up with something unexpectedly wonderful.
Your Turn: What’s the funniest or most creative thing cooking has taught you? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments!