Stop being perfect and take it easy. Aoi Chiba's thoughtful meals delivered as "easy event meals"

Cooking is at the core of life - with this in mind , chef Chiba Aoi delivers "kindly recipes that reflect the seasons" and "easy special occasion meals."

On Instagram, her simple home-cooked meals using seasonal vegetables and her creative ideas for creating affordable meals have garnered a lot of sympathy.
After letting go of perfection, Chiba found time to pamper herself. We asked her about the "personality" that she values ​​through her daily cooking.

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Chiba Aoi | Enjoy the calendar with seasonal vegetable recipes
Instagram [@aoi.gohan22 ]
With the theme of "seasonal vegetable recipes that celebrate the calendar," she delivers information that is close to the dining table through seasonal meals, special occasion meals, and child-friendly menu suggestions. As a registered dietitian, she is currently active in a wide range of activities, including creating recipes and running cooking classes, making use of her experience working at an Italian restaurant and in school cafeterias.

Cooking is the center of life

- What does cooking mean to you, Chiba-san?

Cooking is like the "axis of life" for me. It's not just about getting nutrition, it's also a way to balance my body and mind , and it gives me an opportunity to spend time with my family, so cooking is always at the center of my life.

--What motivates you to continue cooking even though you're busy every day?

The driving force behind this is the "Tsukurepo" (recipes) I receive from my followers .
I'm encouraged every day by the words, "It was delicious!" I think that even at home, the words "It's delicious" can be a motivating factor. That's why I continue to share my thoughts every day, hoping to help increase the amount of time people spend at their dinner tables like this.

--Are there any words you have actually received that made you particularly happy or made a lasting impression?

I was touched when I received a message saying, "My child happily ate up all the ingredients he didn't like!" There are many children who don't like vegetables in particular, so I was really happy when they said, "They ate it!" after using my recipes.
I deliver recipes every day with the hope that they will help people to feel less uncomfortable about cooking and bring more smiles to the family dinner table.

-When do you come up with recipes on a daily basis?

When I find seasonal vegetables at the supermarket, I have a moment when I realize, "Ah, I want to use this." When the seasons change or when I'm feeling a little tired, I feel like "I want to drink something warm."

You may be aware of what your body needs right now.

I also often get requests from my children, which often become the inspiration for my menu.

Until we arrive at "easy meals"

--Are themes such as "easy special occasion food" and "self-care meals" related to your own experiences?

Yes, that's true. I used to be a very perfectionist , and I would work hard at every event, thinking "I have to do it properly." But one day, I became completely exhausted both mentally and physically...

From that experience, I realized the importance of not overdoing it and taking care of myself. Now, as much as I can, I try to enjoy cooking in a way that lifts my spirits with just a little ingenuity.

--What do you keep in mind when thinking up recipes for special occasion food?

Sometimes ideas come to me suddenly, but I'm always thinking about them. I try to get inspiration from all aspects of life, including the seasons, cooking methods, and flavors, and I try to think things through.

Communicating in a true, authentic way

-What message do you want to convey through your future communications?

I myself am a perfectionist, so I want to convey that it's okay to just eat food that is just right for you at the moment, rather than feeling like you have to do it right.

Cooking can be more free and you can do it at your own pace. I would be happy if I could bring that awareness and space to people through my thoughtful meals.

--Is there anything you hold dear when it comes to continuing to communicate in your own unique way?

I think everyone is working harder than they think.

That's why I want to tell people, "This is enough." I hope that my words and messages can help people relax even just a little, or give them a chance to praise themselves and say, "I did well today." That's why I continue to do so.

-Finally, please give a message to your followers.

Thank you so much for always watching over me with such warmth. I think cooking every day is a lot harder than you might think, which is why I try to communicate in a way that makes people feel like "this is good enough" and "it's okay to be myself" rather than "I have to do it properly."

I would be happy if my words and recipes could help someone feel a little better, or give them the opportunity to acknowledge themselves and say, "I did my best today."

What is the Perfect Knife that Chiba Aoi loves to use?

This flagship model from Tashinam uses 100% high-quality VG-10 (V Gold No. 10) stainless steel for the blade, achieving the perfect balance of sharpness, ease of maintenance, and design. Each knife is crafted by skilled artisans in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture, a region renowned for its blade production.

👇Watch Aoi's review video of the Perfect Knife here👇

👇Aoi's recipe video using the Perfect Knife Get it here 👇

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