FOR JUDY ANN SANTOS, COOKING IS A SHARED MEMORY AND LIFE SKILL

Beyond her actress persona, Judy Ann Santos also passionately pursues her interest in cooking and being a chef.

- By JERRY DONATO

Proof of that are the restaurant venture, the cookbook and the digital content Judy Ann’s Kitchen.The doting and devoted mother and wife is able to successfully straddle between the entertainment and culinary worlds. She seems to be showing no signs of slowing down, especially if partnerships for collaboration arrive on her doorstep.

“Well, as soon as magpakita sila ng (they show) interest in staying in the kitchen and trying to help,” said Judy Ann when The STAR asked about the age children should be introduced to cooking in a recent press conference. The latter also welcomed her as the culinary ambassador of UFC, the country’s leading condiments brand.

“Mothers should start nurturing their kids (and interest in it) already. Pag pinapaalis mo sila sa kusina (when you keep them away from the kitchen), they (might) feel (that they’re) off-limits and they are not allowed to be there,” added she. “So, they won't feel excited about cooking. As soon as they show appreciation for food or (being) in the kitchen, you let them get involved.”

The sense of involvement and participation allows children, with the guidance of a parent or an adult, to feel the texture of, let’s say, vegetables, and taste food, as one could gather from Judy Ann’s line of thought. Part of it is exploring different kinds of flavors. Then, little by little, they will join in food preparation and cooking. It serves as the children’s baby steps to discover a passion for cooking.