Passaic County Student’s Cooking Helps Create A Stronger Bond With Family
Sophomore student finds responsibility and quality time through cooking with her family.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced nearly everyone to stay inside their homes. For Sabrina Freay, it pushed her into the kitchen, creating a love for cooking and a new way of bonding with her family.
Freay had found her love for baking sweets back in middle school, but feared cooking meals due to the responsibility. With the pandemic, the Passaic County Technical Institute Vocational School sophomore from Paterson had all this extra time on her hands to conquer her fear of cooking.
“You are in control of the food you make, so how it tastes and comes out is on you,” Freay said.
Towards the beginning of the pandemic she started helping her mother prepare more meals. With having this extra time to spare, Freay was able to start her journey of overcoming a fear of cooking.
Rita, Freay’s mother, was born and spent most of her childhood in the Dominican Republic. Ever since she was a kid, Rita would cook with her grandmother.
Given she is from the Dominican Republic, culture affects some food they eat.
A few of Freay’s favorite foods to make with her mom include mangu (smashed plantains; breakfast food), mondongo (soup usually with pigs feet; takes a long time to make), and mofongo (smashed plantains made with another type of meat or fish).
“Over time, those little things I had to do turned into bigger things and eventually started making meals by myself,” Freay said.
A challenge that once seemed impossible, Freay eventually made chicken parmesan by herself, which is a big improvement from starting with stirring sauce onto pasta. She found cooking fun, but found it could be frustrating sometimes on her own. Freay continues to make healthier food and feels better by eating homemade meals.
Through cooking, she has gained independence. During the pandemic, cooking made her feel productive. Freay used to be dependent on others and preferred to hide in the shadows because it was easier than taking the responsibility or blame if something went wrong.
Freay’s bond grew with her family by spending so much time together. Cooking brought Freay closer to her mom because there were no other distractions, such as phones.
“ When cooking with someone you have to be hands on, you have to work together,” Freay said.
Freay continues to help cook with her mother or alone makes the meals for her family three to four times a week.
“What I get out of cooking for my family is the fact that I’m in charge, I get to do something for them, both my mom and my sister work and it is a way to give back.”
