Cooking is an activity in our lives that is so necessary but so frequently done that many no longer realize it to be a form of love.
And I suppose aspiring to be a good chef while one lives alone is a great analogy for self love.
Cooking well requires understanding of processes, timing, flavor compatibility, process compatibility, and chiefly, an understanding of personal preference. One must understand himself, in relation to what he does, and, in relation to others.
Cooking is also often times laborious and downright inconvenient. So pick the dishes you know you’ll be happy preparing. Some people have an appetite for the most delicate and refined dishes and don’t mind breaking their back for it. Others simply want steamed rice with soup. One must pick the battles matching their appetite.