For Julia Harrison and their mom, it’s always been more about the discovery than anything else – the two just love to cook. Both of them have always been found tinkering away in the kitchen, and it’s their own curiosity, and appetite, that has fueled that wonder. When Harrison was younger, everyday they would arrive home from school and eagerly go to the kitchen. Helping their mom was a staple in their day to day routine and was taught many of the ins and outs of cooking. “She really taught me everything I know,” Harrison said. “Since we’ve been cooking together since I was little we’ve both adapted to each other’s cooking styles, because of that we can work together to make awesome new and delicious meals.”

Harrison’s mom worked at home for the majority of Harrison’s childhood, which led to hours of work adapting and learning new recipes. Throughout the years, the two of them went through many different phases; one year all they did was make crepes and the next, they worked endlessly to perfect the French macaron. Although there are many memories Harrison has in the kitchen, it’s really the knowledge of cooking and learning that Harrison holds on to more than anything else.

As the years have gone by the two of them don’t spend quite as much time together in the kitchen, but they have maintained their love for cooking. This in turn has evolved a new form of communication for them: Instagram reels.

“She’s always sending me videos of crazy meals that she wants me to try out,” Harrison said. “Most of them seem a little bit too extravagant to actually try out, but every so often I just go for it.”

This is how the two of them discovered one of their favorite recipes: tofu fried in a medley of spices and flavors. Although Harrison doesn’t have a name for this specific dish, the adjective most used to describe it is “delicious.”

“Honestly, usually I just make it for myself…it’s just that good. But there’s always leftovers and so my family scrambles to eat them,” Harrison said.

The tofu has become a staple in their household: it’s a request, a late-night snack, a family dinner. It’s become a comfort, warm and delicious. But it’s really about how it came to be that sticks with Harrison, all the years that prepared them to have some authority in the kitchen.

“My mom always used to call me her sous-chef,” Harrison said. “Although recently, she says that I’ve graduated, and now she’s mine.”