When I moved out of my parents’ home and started living on my own, everything felt overwhelming — especially food.

At first, I lived on takeout. It was easy, familiar, and required no effort. But after a while, I started wondering what I was actually eating. One evening, standing in a small kitchen with almost nothing in the fridge, I decided to try cooking for myself. It wasn’t fancy — just a simple meal — but I remember feeling strangely proud when it was done.

I started cooking more often, experimenting after long days, failing often, and learning slowly. I read labels, tried new ingredients, burned meals, fixed them, and tried again. What began as curiosity turned into excitement. Cooking became my quiet time — a place where I felt capable and calm.

While studying and later graduating from college, I also became a teacher for children. Teaching and cooking have more in common than people think. Both require patience, simplicity, and understanding that learning happens step by step.

Cooking gave me confidence when I didn’t have much of it. It became a way to care for myself, to slow down, and to create something meaningful with my hands.

Today, foodarohub is a reflection of that journey. I created it to help everyday people cook without fear, without stress, and without feeling like they’re not good enough.— because if I could learn, anyone can.

— Chef Natali Pierce