As I sit here, typing away on my computer, I often find myself thinking about the twists and turns my life has taken. Just a few years ago, I was convinced that I'd spend my days whipping up culinary masterpieces as a professional caterer. But life, as it often does, had other plans. Today, I'm a programmer and a graphic designer, and while it's not the path I initially envisioned, I've grown to love the challenges and rewards that come with it.
My passion for cooking was started in my grandmother's kitchen, where the aroma of freshly baked pancakes and simmering stews filled the air. She taught me the joy of experimenting with flavors and textures, and I was hooked. As I grew older, my interest in cooking only deepened, and I began to dream of turning it into a career. I enrolled in a culinary arts program after my senior secondary school, eager to hone my skills and learn the intricacies of the trade.
However, as I progressed through the program, I started to realize that the reality of being a caterer wasn't quite as glamorous as I'd imagined. The long hours, physical demands, and stress of ensuring every dish was perfect began to take a toll. I started to wonder if this was truly the path for me.
Around the same time, I was introduced to coding through a friend who was working on a project. I was fascinated by the way she could bring ideas to life with just a few lines of code. I began to dabble in online tutorials and coding challenges, and before long, I was hooked. The problem-solving aspect, the creativity, and the sense of accomplishment when I solved a tricky bug all resonated with me.
As I continued to explore the world of programming, I realized that many of the skills I'd developed in the kitchen were transferable. The attention to detail, the need for precision, and the ability to work under pressure were all valuable assets in the coding world. I started to see parallels between cooking and coding both involved following a recipe (or a set of instructions), experimenting with new ingredients (or variables), and presenting a final product that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The decision to pivot from catering to programming wasn't an easy one, but it ultimately felt like the right choice. I threw myself into learning, devouring online resources, attending workshops, and working on personal projects. The journey wasn't without its challenges, but with each obstacle I overcame, my confidence in coding grew.
Fast-forward to today, and I'm working as a programmer, building applications and solving problems that make a real impact. It's not the same as serving a perfectly plated dish, but it's a different kind of satisfaction. I've come to realize that the skills I developed in the kitchen have served me well in this new role. The creativity, attention to detail, and ability to work under pressure have all been valuable assets in my programming career.
While I may not be whipping up culinary masterpieces on a daily basis, I still enjoy cooking in my free time. It's a way for me to relax and express my creativity in a different way. And who knows? Maybe one day I'll combine my two passions and create a culinary app that brings people together.
In the end, life's twists and turns have led me to a place I never expected, but one that I've grown to love. As I look back on my journey, I'm reminded that sometimes the best things in life come from unexpected places, and that with an open mind and a willingness to adapt, we can find success and fulfillment in the most unlikely of paths.
images are mine.
