I love cooking and baking, and this passion really started to grow for me about two years ago, not long after I moved to the US. I’ve noticed that when I’m especially stressed at work (yep, creative work can be stressful too!), I find myself wanting to cook or bake something a little more complex during those quiet afternoon hours. It usually takes more time, but that also means I feel absolutely over the moon with every single bite. I think it’s some kind of funny reaction from my nervous system, it just finds a special kind of relaxation in baking, especially.

There’s something magical about the whole process: measuring, mixing, waiting. It forces me to slow down. Maybe it’s the rhythm of baking that helps me reset, or maybe it’s just the joy of creating something delicious with my own hands. I love that moment when the kitchen starts to smell like vanilla, butter, and sugar. It feels like HOME.