After the second learning session

"Even when I'm tired, cooking makes me feel better."

Juri stood in the kitchen the whole time, as if embodying those words.

Cheerful voices echoed through the coffee shop for two days.

The second learning opportunity, held on May 22nd and 23rd, involved making a plate lunch by Juri Sumioka, who serves vegetarian cuisine at the reservation-only restaurant Millet, surrounded by lush nature in Shizuhara, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto.

We all enjoyed a warm moment together, enjoying the quiche that she has been making for the past 20 years.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Wash the vegetables and wrap them in a damp cloth.

Carefully arrange the vegetables in the frying pan, wait for them to release their moisture, and gently stir fry with a wooden spatula.

Sift salt evenly over the dish and serve beautifully.

As he faces the vegetables he encounters with all his heart and soul, all of his movements are rhythmic, gentle and warm.

Watching from the sidelines, the natural interaction between them was so pleasant that it was as if Juri and the vegetables had become one...I was overcome with this strange sensation.

"I don't have a recipe so I wonder if I can teach someone... This is my first cooking class and I don't usually have a recipe..."

Seeing Juri cook in harmony with nature and by trusting her instincts, I believe that everyone who attended, including myself, learned more than just the recipe from her behavior and words.

As Juri was leaving, she had tears in her eyes and said, "Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

Juri is always giving her all and is filled with love.

Apparently it was a close call whether he would be able to get on the return flight or not...lol

This is also typical of Juri and will surely be told as a fun episode.

Well, after that I was full of motivation.

The recipes I learned at the learning center have become part of our home cooking routine, as we all enjoyed using the sticky millet cheese that both adults and children love.

What I learn from their thoughts and behavior becomes a part of me.

I look at the recipe, open my notebook, reflect on myself, and face myself now.

The important thing is to find out what interests you and how you can incorporate what resonates with you into your daily life.

A learning environment is a starting point, and we plan these events with the hope that they will continue to serve as a learning environment for each participant.

I myself have noticed that my days have become brighter and warmer.

I would be happy if everyone gathered here could see some change.

Juri will be writing about this in " Rakugaku ."

This time, the video of the learning opportunity was released on YouTube last Friday. A dialogue is also planned.

Let's look back and move on to the next step, and live a life full of learning.

Ono Kaori