I’m lucky to still have grandparents on my mum’s side of the family. My grandma, or Poh Poh in Cantonese, has always been known within the family (and further afield) for her cooking. However, now that she’s approaching 90, she no longer has the energy to cook.
However, she makes one exception. When any one of her eleven grandchildren visits, she cooks. She buys ingredients weeks in advance, partially cooks each dish, freezes them, and assembles a banquet for when we arrive.
It’s a literal labour of love, filled with thought, care, and love. And our hearts and bellies are full because of it.