Truckin’

            I am not a cook – definitely not anywhere near the class of a chef. My son liked certain foods that I prepared, primarily Hamburger Helper and canned green beans; not gourmet delights, but filling. When he decided that he wanted to be a chef, he asked me to teach him to cook. After a 10-year career as a chemist in a water quality lab, I had learned to follow instructions, accurately measure solvents and solutions, and the importance of temperature control – basic skills involved in cooking. My mom taught me how to do the ordinary things but I watched her as she cooked and learned her Southern methods to which she added some Bayou magic. I acquired the age-old techniques from her and was more than willing to share them with my son. 

We set aside each Sunday afternoon and begin cooking with some success and many disasters. I taught the basics and he added the flare. Our cooking involved loud music and messes, but we honed our techniques as we became the best of buddies – and we ate the food, then watched Disney movies all evening. Irreplaceable memories that will live in my heart forever. My chef in training went to Culinary School and became a Chef.

Time moved on and I decided that I could pass on my mom’s chaotic cooking methods to the next generation and asked a grand-nephew if he would like to learn how to make gumbo. So, the lessons began again with a roux and we were off on a new adventure. We added another grand-nephew and Crazy Coco’s Cooking Class became a reality. We cook for family members, serve great food, drink wine, and have become buddies in the kitchen with loud music and lots of messes. 

We learn from our food menus as well as our selections of music in the kitchen. We discover gumbo always depends on the roux – a challenge that we willingly embrace.  The lesson of cooking involves dealing with everyday life as we await a revelation that will expand our consciousness. It’s complicated at times, but comes together as the aroma of flavors and the beat of music fills our souls.  I hope my students will listen to the “Do Dah Man” as they search for this epiphany, “the cards ain’t worth a dime unless you lay ‘em down.” Just keep “truckin’ on” good buddies.¹                                                                                                                                                          

¹ “Truckin’” lyrics by Robert Hunter