Becoming Fearless

By Jennifer McHenry, Bake or Break

This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook - try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun! - Julia Child

I do not deal well with failure. I have an unrealistic expectation that I should be successful with everything on the first try.

My lesson from Julia Child is a work in progress. Im constantly reminding myself that its okay to fail in the kitchen. There is usually at least one good lesson in something that goes horribly wrong. That lesson should be as rewarding as a perfectly executed recipe.

With Julias attitude of fearlessness as my guide, Im learning to make cooking an experience to be enjoyed, regardless of the outcome. With countless mistakes behind me and certainly more to come, I find that I am better at trusting my instincts, understanding why things go wrong, and improving my skills.

Im far from embracing failure, but I think I have a better understanding of its necessity. I still have a long way to go. But, what better inspiration than the incomparable Julia?

The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude. - Julia Child

Jennifer has been baking and blogging at Bake or Break for over 6 years. Focusing on simple recipes and quality ingredients, she strives to make home-baking easy and approachable for her readers. She lives and bakes in New York City.

You can find Jennifer at her website Bake or Break, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.