By: Elizabeth Burns
“Are you seriously one of ten kids?”
“Yes, I’m number seven, out of ten.”
“You come from different parents, correct?”
“No, we all share the same parents.”
“Do they both work?”
“No, my dad works at Corning Inc. and my mom home-schools us. Well, six siblings already obtained their degrees from different colleges. There’s only four of us at home now.”
It is about this time in my conversation with someone new, when their facial expression resembles a cartoon character with their eyes bugging out of their head and a dropped jaw. Growing up in a large family is not common nowadays, but I wouldn’t change my upbringing for the world.
My love of cooking and baking came from my mom’s need to keep little ones from getting underfoot. She would set us into our highchairs when we were toddlers and had us help prepare meals throughout the day. Mom would hand out hunks of dough to play with while making pies or cookies. Sometimes she would set us up with kid-safe utensils to chop mushrooms or onions for dinner. Did it make a mess? Absolutely, but it helped keep the kids occupied, encouraged teamwork, and fostered a love of food for all of us.
As we grew up, we became more involved in the kitchen, preparing healthy meals since we consumed the majority of them at home. Mom encouraged creativity and experimentation with our food. Sometimes our culinary adventures were tied to our studies of countries and cultures. By the time we were eleven years old, in my case eight, all of us could cook full, nutritionally balanced dinners and bake on our own.
Food is love and connection. It brings people together, and it creates memories that are treasured forever. From the tangy Polish breakfast soup that we indulge in once a year on Easter to the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and apples emanating from the Thanksgiving pies baking, home cooking strengthens the bond between my parents and siblings no matter where we might be.
The early experience in the kitchen fostered my love of baking and cooking. In the kitchen, I can let my creativity shine. It is fascinating to combine multiple ingredients together and see them transform in the oven into one beautiful work of culinary art.
Baking for different occasions has been a regular part of my experience, including birthdays, anniversaries, graduation parties, and other events. Occasionally, I would choose a classic favorite such as chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake or pumpkin chocolate muffins. At other times, I would experiment to enhance my skills and expand my repertoire.
Eventually, I decided to open my own, small home baking business when I was in my early teens. My cousin asked me to make the selections for her wedding dessert table (minus the cake) in September 2022. In November of that same year, I created a three-tiered wedding cake for my sister’s wedding. Family members and friends have commissioned me to create other pastries and desserts for them. In addition to baking to fill orders or for events, I bake for fun or to relax.
My lifelong ambition has been to become a professional pastry chef and take my baking skills to new heights. Attending the Culinary Institute of America will help make this goal a reality.
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