Where did I learn how to love cooking good food? My mother was a great influence. As far as I can remember, she and our household helpers were always busy in the kitchen cooking something for my dad, who always had guests coming to visit him at our house. My mother and her crew would wake up at dawn to go to the wet market. Upon their return, I would see live shrimps jumping, live chickens, fresh fishes, and fresh fruits and vegetables. At times, I insisted to tag along but because they had always left at crack of dawn, I always missed. When they arrived, the kitchen became busy and everyone helped. Mom planned and prepared the menu for the day, one slaughtered the native chicken , and another scaled the fishes. I had always volunteered to do something. I practically took over our cook's duty by grabbing the saute spoon from her and started cooking. She never complained for I really followed instructions carefully. My mother gave all the instructions on how to do cert