The Journey Was as Significant as the Destination

By Jasmine Mangalaseril, Confessions of a Cardamom Addict

If I have only the scantest soupçon of Julia Childs unabashed kitchen enthusiasm, then I am a better person for it.

Julia taught us how to knead bread, whip egg whites to medium peaks, and fillet fish. Along the way, she thunked dough with a rolling pin, clattered pans as she cleared her work surface, and handled a razor-sharp knife with the same aplomb as Margaret Rutherfords sword-wielding Miss Marple.

But her influence on me went beyond all that.

In Julias world, it didnt matter that beaters dripped, flour spilt, or a Tarte Tatin unmolded improperly. Perfection was a goal, but as with many of lifes other adventures, the journey could be as significant as the destination. To me, the more important lesson was that perfection is never truly guaranteed. Yolks break, the grill (or broiler) is either too warm or too cool, an ingredient is forgotten.

Her kitchenthe one she opened to me and everyone elseseemed a passionate, joyful place filled with creativity and respect for ingredients and culture she fell in love with.

It was not only for people who liked to cook and eat. It was a place for quick-thinking, creative problem-solvers. Although mistakes occur in a flash, corrections can also be quick, unlaboured, and executed without pomp or pageantry. Simply absorb the lesson and move on, unfazed, with the same passion as before.

Jasmine Mangalaseril is a public relations professional, specialising in reputation and crisis management, with more than 15 years combined experience in the nonprofit, financial services and high tech sectors. Knowledgeable in the field of social media, she is a requested panelist and presenter at conferences and workshops. Since 2005 she has authored Confessions of a Cardamom Addict, a food blog devoted to her omnivorous culinary adventures. Described as quick-witted and insightful, she pairs recipes with the stories behind them. Jasmine and her blog have been featured on Culture.ca, Foodtv.ca and was listed on Yahoo.cas In Depth Food and Health Page and Hearst Publications Delish.coms 50 Top Food Blogs. Shes been mentioned in news stories by Canadian Press, CanWest News, SRC, CanadianLiving.com and Taste Magazine. She lives in Kitchener, Ontario.

You can find Jasmine at her website Confessions of a Cardamom Addict, as well as on Twitter.