Cooking serves as a powerful reminder of self-sufficiency and personal worth. It highlights the importance of nurturing oneself, both physically and emotionally. Engaging in the act of cooking reinforces the idea that taking care of one’s own needs is essential and can cultivate a sense of empowerment. It reveals that we have the capability to create and provide for ourselves.

In Roxane Gay's book "Hunger," she emphasizes how cooking intertwines with self-care and self-acceptance. It is an act that goes beyond mere sustenance; it symbolizes a deep acknowledgment of one's value and the desire to nourish both the body and spirit. This process is transformative, allowing individuals to reclaim their relationship with food and, ultimately, themselves.