My mum had no interest in cooking, so I had no inspiration from her. (I loved her to bits though.) I was just so very lucky at school in the UK at a time when "Home Economics" was on the curriculum. It wasn't just about "how" to cook, it was also about nutrition. After English, it was my favourite subject! As teenagers, we were taught the science of cooking, and the theory, and we also made meals! I took home cakes, stews, pies. (Our parents had to supply the raw ingredients and financially, that was a struggle for them.) My brothers had the same tuition at the same school and didn't get so engrossed, but my older brother will never forget his "perfect" Victoria Sponge.