A Young Chef with a Big Dream
Hi, I am Ethan Imara Omukhango, though at home they call me Chef Etan. I am 7 years old, and I love cooking.
A Difficult Beginning That Shaped My Story
When I was born, I was allergic to many things. My family have told me that my first two years were very difficult. No matter how many times they went to the hospital, my parents could not figure out what was wrong. Then one day, Dr Yvonne, a paediatrician in Nairobi, went out of her way to help my parents discover what was causing my allergies.
One of the problems was animal hair and fur. My parents removed everything made of wool from the house, including sweaters, blankets, and other items. They also stopped Charlie and Cookie, our two dogs, from coming into the house. Later, Courage and Brave, our two cats, could not come inside either because of my reaction to fur.
Dr Yvonne also used the elimination method, where I ate only one food for two weeks at a time so my body’s reactions could be observed. After many months, it became clear that the only protein I could eat was from white meat. My parents stopped me from eating eggs, beans, beef, and other proteins.
How Food Restrictions Sparked My Passion
For the first five years of my life, I ate only chicken — fried, stewed, boiled, minced, deep-fried, or served with sauce. Because it was the only meat I could eat, I became very interested in cooking it in different ways. What began as a necessity slowly became a passion.
Family Wisdom That Made a Difference
One day, my mum called her mother, my Shosho (grandmother) Lucy, to tell her about my allergies. Shosho told my mum that she had gone through something similar when she was a child. That meant my allergies were inherited from my mum’s side of the family.
Alongside the medical advice my parents were already receiving, Shosho also shared wisdom from her own experience. She advised my mum not to stop me from eating certain proteins completely, so that my body would not become too unfamiliar with them. She also gave some home remedies, and some of them worked.
This was precious family knowledge passed from my Shosho to my mum, and then from my mum to me.
Preserving Family Knowledge Through Recipes
From my early years, I have learned that it is important for families to pass down recipes and remedies from one generation to the next. These things are valuable not only because they can help with sickness and allergies, but also because they carry family memories and traditions that have been enjoyed for many years.
I keep track of these recipes so that I can make them again in the future and help preserve my family’s legacy.
The Kitchen Became My Happy Place
Because I spent so much time with my mum in the kitchen from an early age, finding creative ways to cook chicken, I developed a real love for cooking. She would let me help her cut vegetables and tell her stories while she cooked.
At the age of four, she began allowing me to cook little things here and there. Even though I was small and very messy, and probably created more cleaning work for her, she still gave me the chance. She is my inspiration in cooking, and I am grateful that she gave me the space to discover what I love.
From Cooking at Home to Creating My First Book
As time went on, I began collecting recipes from family members and putting them together so that I could continue cooking yummy food for my family and friends. From that experience, my family helped me put together my first book.
This journey officially began on my 6th birthday, when my family bought me cooking tools including a knife, chopping board, rolling pin, apron, and chef’s hat, also called a toque, among other things.
A Birthday That Confirmed My Calling
On my 7th birthday in July 2023, my mum allowed me to cook almost all the meals for our guests. I had not yet learned how to make rice and beef, so our nanny helped with those, but I prepared the rest. Everyone also brought me gifts to support my love for cooking.
I received a hand mixer, aprons, a chef’s knife set, cooking pots, and two small shelves to keep my things. It was the best birthday ever, and it made me feel even more excited about my journey as a young chef.
A Book with Food, Faith, and Family at Its Heart
My book contains my first signature recipes — the meals I know how to cook and enjoy making. It also includes devotional sections around cooking, contributed by my mum, Muthoni Omukhango. In addition, it encourages families to gather and preserve recipes that are meaningful to them.
The book is not just about food. It is also about faith, family, memory, and legacy.
A Mission to Inspire Other Families
I hope this book will encourage families everywhere to start collecting their own recipes — not only to help with health needs, but also to preserve the memories of loved ones for future generations.
We called the book Preserving Family Legacy because meals can tell stories, carry love, and connect the past with the future. I hope families will enjoy filling its blank spaces with their own treasured recipes.
Dreaming Bigger for the Future
If I am given the opportunity, I would love to cook something at the upcoming ACABA Gala. I have never cooked for so many people before, but I believe I can do it. Cooking is what I love, what I spend much of my time doing, and what I hope to keep growing in.
Maybe one day there will even be more legacy books — not only for meals, but also for travels, events, and other family memories that can help future children understand what their families loved and valued.
Growing Together as a Family
I am also excited about the future with my sisters, Abiah and Ella Omukhango. We are preparing a YouTube channel called Our Little Corner of the World, where each of us will share what we are good at. My part will be all about food.
We also plan to have a website, omukhangos.space. As a family, we are happy to have something meaningful that we can build together.
Conclusion
My journey began with a challenge, but that challenge helped reveal my gift. Through allergies, family wisdom, time in the kitchen with my mum, and the support of my family, I discovered a love for cooking that has already become part of my purpose.
I am still young, but I already know that food can do something special: it can heal, bring people together, preserve memories, and create joy. That is the journey I am honoured to share.
