If there’s only one thing that can be considered as a universal language, it would be food. That’s because no matter where you are in the world, food is present and central to society. The importance of food to people comes second to none because it’s the only source of sustenance for them to actually live.

It makes sense that lots of people are fond of the art of cooking and it’s not just because they have to. Creating food isn’t something that people are born with; it’s a skill that was developed through evolution. The homo sapiens ate their food raw, but when they discovered fire, they learned that food would be easier to digest when it’s cooked.

Cooking is a form of art not only because it takes years of practice to perfect, but because it’s done through a series of calculated movements to develop a recipe using different flavors and techniques. Each meal that you indulge in is also dripping with history and culture; of origin stories about how they came to be.

Indeed, a passion for cooking is truly unmatched and it’s not just because the food is delicious. Creating food for your friends and family can also be a form of intimacy, a love language that’s subtler than the others. But to actually pursue your love for cooking, you have to hone your skills. Here’s how you can create the perfect ambiance for cooking at home:

1. Consider Having a Kitchen Renovation

Okay so technically, you don’t really need to renovate your kitchen to start cooking because that can take a lot of time and money. But wouldn’t you rather cook in a kitchen that you love instead of making do with what you have? If it’s something that you’re planning to do in the future, then you might as well do it now while you’re still motivated to pursue your passion for cooking.

Having a nice kitchen doesn’t necessarily equate to making good food, but it would be easier to move around in a kitchen that is designed according to your personal preferences. Imagine spending time in a kitchen where everything is in the right place. It could be like your personal chef’s dreams coming true.

The renovation doesn’t have to anything grand if you don’t want it to be. But it can help to work with an expert in the field who can provide a complete kitchen design for you should you choose to renovate the entire place. You can have bespoke cabinets, granite countertops, a wide sink, or lacquered handles; the possibilities of what you can do are limitless.

2. Buy the Equipment You Need (and Want)

Besides setting a nice cooking environment for yourself at home, it can also help you pursue your love for cooking if you had the right tools to make the job easier. Of course, everyone who loves cooking is innately creative and can turn any utensil into a multi-purpose tool, but if you have the money to spend, then there’s no reason for you to make things harder for yourself.

A good example of this is any chef’s best friend: the food processor. Most food processors can be expensive, especially when they are built by big brands. But they can be really helpful in the kitchen when you’re making recipes such as pesto, hummus, falafel, biscuits, and so many others.

Not everyone has a food processor at home, but most people would have blenders. So, you might want to settle with your blender because that’s what you already have. However, investing in the right kitchen equipment may help motivate you to cook because you won’t have to work twice as hard as when you’re improvising.

3. Make Time in Your Schedule to Learn

And lastly, for you to hone your cooking skills, you would actually have to make time for cooking. Many people don’t realize just how much time it takes to cook a single meal, particularly if they’re starting from scratch. That’s because they would have to buy and prepare ingredients before they can even start cooking.

The prep time alone can be demotivating, especially if you’re already hungry and in need of food. But if you’re truly decided to hone your skills in cooking, you will have to carve out some time from your busy schedule to make way for it. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to cook all the time.

There are plenty of ways to develop your cooking skills in theory. For instance, you can watch cooking shows and take mental notes on how the chefs develop their recipes or what techniques they use to achieve a certain output. You can also learn the science behind flavors and why aromas play such a big role when it comes to making food appetizing.

At the end of the day, the important thing is that you’re creating food that you love. It’s useless to try recipes that won’t appeal to your taste buds, especially if you’re not giving the food to someone else because that’s just going to be a waste of time and good ingredients. Your food should be you on a plate and it should be something that you’re proud to share with the world.