One of my favorite childhood movies is Ratatouille, which is an animated film that left a lasting impression on me. The film’s core theme, “anyone can cook,” resonated with me deeply; As someone who has always wanted to improve my cooking skills, I found this message empowering. However, I have often struggled in the kitchen, where I somehow manage to burn almost everything I make. Despite my mishaps, Ratatouille has encouraged me to keep trying, reminding me that culinary expertise isn’t reserved for the naturally talented and can be developed with practice, passion, and persistence.

This theme has also made me appreciate my mom’s incredible talent in the kitchen even more. Growing up, I’ve always watched her effortlessly prepare delicious meals (even now), and I always admired her ability to bring joy to our family through her cooking. What makes it even more special is that she pursued her passion academically by going to school in the Philippines for Food Technology. Her knowledge and expertise in food has always been an inspiration to me. I feel grateful to have a mom who not only loves to cook but also understands the science behind it.

Whenever I watch Ratatouille, I am reminded of my mom’s culinary journey and how much she has influenced me to grow my cooking skills, even if I haven’t perfected it yet. Ultimately for me, the movie serves as a lighthearted yet motivational push to keep trying, just like Remy. It reminds me that with dedication, even someone like me—who struggles with burned dishes—can learn to cook. Additionally, it has inspired me to want to learn how to recreate the cultural dishes my mom makes. I would love to carry these Filipino and Polish recipes forward to future generations in my family, especially because we are so diverse. The idea of preserving our family’s cultural heritage through food is something that excites me. Passing down these dishes would also be a way to keep our traditions alive and share our multicultural background with those around us.