The storyMy earliest memory of my UPENDO for Faith, Family, and Food, dates back to when I was 5 or 6 years old growing up in East Baltimore. My grandmother (Flossie Mae), grandfather(Pop Pop), Aunt Audrey, and Aunt Vinessa all played a huge part during these formative years. (let me explain) Well Grandma was the center of it ALL!! A woman of FAITH, a woman who taught us ALL about FAMILY, and Lord Have Mercy on my soul...she could COOK like no other! Pop Pop and my Dad taught me everything I know about being a real man and raising a FAMILY. Aunts Audrey and Vinessa introduced me to CHRIST as a young boy and made sure that I was grounded. I vividly remember times when Grandma would be in the kitchen cooking (mostly all day long), and my brother and cousins would go outside to play, and I would be perfectly OK with staying in and helping Grandma in the kitchen. As a young boy in Grandma's kitchen, I learned a few old songs of the church, how to make hoecake, how to season meats, and most importantly, I learned how huge her heart was! As a young boy into my teen years, I witnessed my Dad (my HERO) cook meals, and care for two boys during a time when a single father was unheard of!! My Dad LOVES to cook, and as they say "this apple did not fall far from the tree"! I am my FATHERS child! When I was 12 or 13, I would cook breakfast for my Dad and brother, and I made signs that I would put up in the kitchen that read...TRENT'S DINER. It would make my Dad happy when I cooked and either took it up to his room, or I would set the table very nicely, and he would sit, eat, smile and laugh. Fast forward into young adult-hood, I can't honestly say that I loved to cook at this point. I was more in LOVE with how food made my FAMILY and FRIENDS happy! My friends and family would always compliment the meals and it made me happy to see how a good meal would bring HAPPINESS into the room! Fast forward to now...I am HAPPILY married to my BEST FRIEND Timetha, I have 4 BEAUTIFUL children (Nia, Jaelyn, Ryan, and TJ), I am in LOVE with Jesus, and now...I LOVE TO COOK!
P.S. - Upendo is the Swahili translation of LOVE :-) |
Why |
I created this Blog, to share stories, share recipes, and share my LOVE for cooking!
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Thanks |
I am nothing without Christ, so Thank you Lord for who you are in my life! My biggest fan is my wife! Baby, thanks for supporting me in everything that I do. You are the wind that helps me to sail, you are my Best Friend! Thanks for allowing me to cook for our family. Upendo3 is dedicated to my Dad, and in loving memory of my Grandma.
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