Where love, tradition and memories meet at the table

The aroma of garlic sizzling in a pan has a way of taking me right back to my childhood kitchen. My dad taught me everything I know about cooking, together with my mom and her sisters, who could fill a space with the rich, familiar flavours of traditional Filipino dishes.

Those moments were more than meals; they were lessons in culture and love. They’re memories etched so deeply, they still feel like home. For many across the world, reminders of home, traditions and meals are sparked by a familiar scent.

Scientists say the smell of home‑cooked food can unlock memories more powerfully than photographs because it’s tied directly to love, care and belonging. Comfort food like rice, potatoes and hearty meat dishes has always meant belonging to me.

That’s why Anh’s story feels so familiar. A sponsored girl from Vietnam, Anh finds joy in the meals that her grandmother, Phuc, cooks for her each day, especially when it comes to her favourites. “When I get good grades at school, my grandmother buys potatoes and catches crabs to cook for me,” she says, her voice a soft twinkle.

Anh’s sweet enthusiasm radiates with every word—a gentle reminder that food is never just ‘food’. Like a warm hug, it carries memories and traditions passed from one generation to the next.