How Cooking Makes Us Human
The Connection Between Food, Patience, and Storytelling
There’s something uniquely human about cooking. While other animals forage and hunt for food, humans have developed the ability to transform raw ingredients into meals through the power of fire. This act of cooking—of preparing food, waiting for it to become something nourishing—has set us apart from other species for thousands of years. But cooking is more than just a way to fuel our bodies; it’s a fundamental aspect of our humanity that shapes our social and cultural lives.
In fact, the very act of waiting for food to cook played a crucial role in the evolution of human storytelling. As early humans gathered around fires, the time spent preparing meals created the perfect space for conversation, reflection, and the sharing of stories. Those moments of waiting, of anticipation, led to some of the first exchanges of myths, knowledge, and memories—making cooking not just an act of survival, but a catalyst for human connection.
From an evolutionary perspective, the discovery of cooking played a critical role in human development. When early humans began to cook food, they unlocked a more efficient way to extract nutrients and energy. This process not only made food safer and easier to digest, but also freed up energy for other activities, including the development of larger, more complex brains. In fact, many scientists believe that cooking was a major factor in the growth of human intelligence. Unlike animals that consume raw food, humans became able to spend less time chewing and more time developing social structures, tools, and communication.
Cooking didn’t just change our biology—it transformed our cultures. It became the centerpiece of human civilization, shaping everything from daily routines to social customs. Every culture, no matter how far back you trace its history, has rituals and traditions tied to the preparation and sharing of food. Cooking moved humans from solitary consumption to communal experiences, where meals became occasions for gathering, sharing, and bonding.
This act of cooking also established a space for creativity and cultural expression. Humans didn’t just cook for survival; they began to experiment with flavors, techniques, and ingredients, turning food into an art form. Recipes were created and passed down through generations, often accompanied by stories of their origins and the people who first made them. These culinary traditions, enriched by storytelling, have continued to shape cultures and identities for thousands of years.
In short, cooking is a uniquely human endeavor. It’s not just the physical act of preparing food that sets us apart from animals—it’s the way cooking has been woven into our social lives, fostering connection, creativity, and culture. This foundational distinction between humans and animals set the stage for one of humanity’s greatest skills: storytelling.
The Act of Waiting—How Cooking Led to Storytelling
When we think about early humans gathered around a fire, it's easy to picture them busy with the task of cooking—but there was another essential element at play: the waiting. Cooking, unlike foraging or hunting, requires patience. The time spent waiting for food to cook became an unexpected but critical opportunity for connection, reflection, and, ultimately, storytelling.
In early human societies, cooking was a communal activity. It wasn’t just about preparing food; it was about gathering together, sharing a moment, and engaging with one another. The act of waiting—whether for meat to roast over a fire or grains to soften—created natural pauses in the day where people could exchange more than just food. With the need to stay close to the fire and monitor the meal, these moments became ideal for storytelling.
In these shared moments, early humans began to fill the time by sharing stories. Around the fire, people would recount their adventures, successes in hunting, or the dangers they had faced. These stories weren’t just a form of entertainment—they were also survival tools. Stories passed on essential knowledge about the environment, animal behavior, and social dynamics. For instance, a tale of a successful hunt could reveal the best techniques, while stories of misfortune might warn against particular dangers. These oral traditions conveyed practical lessons, strengthened community bonds, and reinforced cultural values.
Beyond survival, these early stories also provided the foundation for myth-making and cultural identity. As humans gathered repeatedly to cook and share meals, they began weaving larger narratives about their place in the world. Myths, legends, and creation stories may have first emerged around the fire, filling the gaps between meal preparation and consumption. Over time, these stories shaped the collective identity of early human communities, giving meaning to their lives and experiences.
The waiting involved in cooking was essential not just for nourishing the body but for nourishing the mind and spirit. Storytelling became an integral part of the communal experience, turning mealtime into something more than just the act of eating. It became a time for passing down wisdom, entertaining each other, and reinforcing social bonds. These fireside stories, shared as food slowly cooked, were likely the beginning of the rich storytelling traditions that define humanity today.
The act of waiting for food transformed cooking from a mere survival task into a cultural ritual. This waiting fostered the development of storytelling, helping humans make sense of their world and strengthen their social connections. Today, cooking continues to bring people together, reminding us that the kitchen, much like the ancient fire, is still a place where stories are born.
Though thousands of years have passed since humans first gathered around fires to cook, the connection between food and storytelling remains as strong as ever. The modern kitchen continues to serve as a gathering place, where meals are prepared and stories are shared. Cooking, whether done alone or with others, still provides the perfect backdrop for meaningful conversations and memories.
Growing up, my family and I spent countless hours in my Nana’s kitchen, making pierogi together. It was a full-family event—parents, siblings, cousins, aunt, and uncle—all crowded into the kitchen, rolling dough, preparing fillings, and perfecting our pierogi-making assembly line. In true Polish fashion, we always made enough to feed an army. While the kitchen filled with the sounds of laughter, chatter, and the clinking of pots and pans, the stories flowed just as easily. My Nana would recount tales from her own childhood, family memories, and the origins of the recipes she cherished. The pierogi weren’t just food—they were pieces of our family history, with each batch telling its own story of tradition and connection.
The act of cooking together created moments of bonding that went far beyond the meal itself. We didn’t just share the food; we shared stories—about the past, about the family members who had passed down these recipes, and even about our own lives. Those hours in the kitchen waiting for the pierogi to boil or bake weren’t just idle time—they were opportunities to connect, reflect, and strengthen our ties as a family. And when the meal was finally ready, it was more than just sustenance on the table. It was a feast rich with history, laughter, and the love of generations.
In today’s world, cooking still holds this power. Whether it’s a holiday meal that takes hours to prepare or a simple dinner shared between friends, the time spent cooking and waiting creates a natural space for storytelling. Food blogs and cooking shows also celebrate this connection, with chefs and home cooks alike sharing not just recipes but the personal stories behind their favorite dishes. It’s a reminder that the kitchen remains a place where we gather to share more than just food—we share our lives, our memories, and our stories.
Cooking continues to be a way we connect, just as it was for me growing up in Nana’s kitchen. It’s a chance to gather around the stove, share in the joy of creating something together, and reflect on the stories that make each meal special. Whether we’re making enough pierogi to feed an army or simply preparing a weeknight dinner, cooking brings us together in ways that nourish both body and soul.
So, the next time you find yourself preparing a meal, take a moment to appreciate the stories behind it. Whether it’s a dish passed down through generations or a new creation you’ve come up with on your own, remember that cooking isn’t just about feeding the body—it’s about feeding the soul. Through the simple act of preparing food, we continue the tradition of storytelling that has been at the heart of human connection for centuries.
H.R. Gordon is the author of children’s and adult works of fiction and nonfiction. She is also a freelance editor, marketer, and book publishing consultant specializing in indie publishing, a content marketer, an adjunct professor at SUNY University at Buffalo and Fredonia, St. Bonaventure University, and a number of other colleges. Hannah is also a competitive powerlifter, with current PRs (personal records) at: Squat: 375 lb; Deadlift: 445 lb; Bench: 210 lb. When she’s not writing, teaching, or working out, she enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, DIYs and refurb projects, and smashing the patriarchy.
Hannah welcomes connections through @HR_Gordon on all major social media platforms and on her website HannahRGordon.com. She lives in Buffalo, New York, with her partner Bryan, a librarian, a three-legged super mutt therapy dog Charley, his little sister Iggy, who is basically a dingo, and their baby brother Meeko, who is a menace to society.