Chef Geoff Thomas has made hundreds of dishes in his Naples kitchen. But with some help, he's cooking up a new recipe.
"When I wanted to learn [how to make] arrepas, I came to Alberic, because I knew that she was going to be the perfect teacher. She has been, and honestly, very forgiving too," said Thomas.
His love for the kitchen is inspired by his own roots.
"I always felt like my family was top notch," said Thomas. "You had friends whose moms could cook, but like, my mom cooks better, you know?" said Thomas.
It was Thomas' grandmother, Dores, who first stirred Thomas' love for food. Each recipe represents his cherished inheritance.
"I made her stuffing from the cookbook, and it tasted just like grandma's stuffing," said Thomas. "I could almost taste the hug."
That's what led Thomas to meet with other grandmothers, like Alberic. He isn't just cooking. He's capturing.
"Looking at my family and so many other families, I know that the next generation that comes after us just doesn't have the same connection to grandma's food and recipes as we did," said Thomas.
Determined to preserve the culture and traditions in other family kitchens, Thomas is working on a book of recipes called "Grandma's Hands." It's inspired by grandmothers of different heritages.
"I plan to do this in Africa and Europe," said Thomas. "I want to go meet Italian grandmothers. I want to go meet grandmothers in Ghana. I think that when I'm 100, someone will say, 'you recorded my grandmother's stuffing."
All in all, a family recipe is more than just food. It's a reminder of love and legacy. Now that's worth holding onto.
Thomas is also competing in Carla Hall's "Favorite Chef" contest. If you'd like to vote for Thomas, you can vote for him here .
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