15 Comments
User's avatar
Rupert Taylor's avatar

Thank you, that was such a memorable read. I’m not sure chopping an onion will ever be the same.

Expand full comment
clarkewim's avatar

a heartrending story with a happy ending.

Expand full comment
Nicola Spurr's avatar

This resonated so much with me. Although I spent countless hours watching and helping my mother in the kitchen, and took on various cooking and baking tasks in my teens, I discovered that I didn’t know how to cook pasta on my first night in university halls. Something so simple and I’d just never learned how.

I’m much more conscious of talking through each step and technique with the youngsters now so they learn how to hold a knife, how to drain boiling water, how to safely handle hot dishes, how to peel fruit etc etc.

Expand full comment
Pamela Shields's avatar

Thank you for this. My son is borderline schizophrenic. If only he could find the love of a good woman. He and I live in hope. Thanks to Vittles too for commissioning the piece.

Expand full comment
Jakernory's avatar

More power to you.

I had similar issues for different neurodivergent reasons.

My dyspraxia meant that learning physical tasks was hard.

I loved food as much as I do now and was desperate to succeed.

But the kitchen was destroyed after every attempt and I didn’t get good at chopping onions until I briefly ran my own food business with a mate.

Expand full comment
Lorraine Malyan's avatar

This is excellent. My heartfelt thanks for writing it.

Expand full comment
Jessica Stanley's avatar

I love this. Extremely thought provoking.

Expand full comment
Elisabet Juan Roca's avatar

Such a beautiful piece ❤️

Expand full comment
Sarah Pickette's avatar

A really beautiful piece of writing. Thanks for sharing!

Expand full comment
Lana-Emerald Mary Astin's avatar

Legend 👏👏✨

Expand full comment
Jeremy Farr's avatar

Thank you, this was wonderful to read.

Expand full comment
Charlie Brown's avatar

Beautifully written. You made me think of my nephew who is also autistic, also lives in Bexleyheath and has also struggled with tasks like these. Thank you for the words.

Expand full comment
Amar Patel's avatar

Wonderful to read about the personal significance of mastering a seemingly "simple task". Currently reviewing my onion-slicing technique.

Expand full comment
Lindsey Bareham's avatar

What a powerful tale and what a happy ending. May I recommend my book Onions Without Tears to extend your repertoire?

Expand full comment
Lucy Carter's avatar

Thanks for sharing Charlie - much food for thought

Expand full comment