Baking a Mindful Practice By Melanie Underwood, Founder /CEO Gather Culinary

Melanie Underwood

Gather Culinary

Baking has been a constant in my life, a thread woven through my earliest memories and shaping the person I am today. I started baking with my grandmother when I was four. At the time, I didn’t realize I was learning more than just how to mix, measure, and knead. I was learning about love, about patience, and about the profound connection that comes from spending time with someone who cares. Those hours in the kitchen weren’t just about making food—they were about building relationships, and in many ways, they set the foundation for everything that followed.

As I got older, I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. It seemed like a logical path for so many of the other things I loved. But my heart wasn’t in it. In college, I had a moment of clarity when my mother asked me, “What do you truly love?” The answer was
clear—baking. It wasn’t just a hobby or a passing interest. It was a calling. And the lesson I took from that moment was one I still hold onto: when you follow your passion, you can turn it into something meaningful, something successful.

Baking as a Mindful Practice

In my twenties, as I navigated the intense, fast-paced world of hotels and restaurants in NYC, I was hit with waves of anxiety. I needed calm in my life, and a doctor suggested meditation. But sitting still, emptying my mind? That wasn’t me. Yet, as I stood in the kitchen, I realized I was already practicing mindfulness—through baking. Each step of the process, from weighing ingredients to watching the dough rise, demanded my full attention. I wasn’t distracted. I wasn’t anxious. I was present, deeply engaged in the moment, using all of my senses.

Baking became my meditation, and the kitchen became my sanctuary. I discovered that mindfulness doesn’t have to look like sitting cross-legged on a mat; it can be as simple as creating something with your hands, allowing yourself to be fully absorbed in the task at hand. Baking not only brought me peace but also allowed me to channel my energy into something tangible, something I could share with others.

Creating Bonds Through Baking

Baking also has this remarkable way of fostering connection—both with ourselves and with others. It’s something fun, creative, and social, making it the perfect activity to share with friends. There’s a shared joy in the kitchen, whether it’s trying out new recipes, decorating cookies, or simply enjoying the process together. Baking creates space for laughter, collaboration, and conversation. In many ways, it’s a catalyst for building relationships. After all, food has always been one of the most primal ways we connect.

The Versatility and Power of Baking as a Skill

But baking goes beyond personal fulfillment and friendships—it’s also an employable, transformative skill. For those who are passionate, like I was, it can lead to a lifelong career. But even for those who don’t make it their primary focus, it’s an invaluable skill set. If you know how to bake, you can always find a way to support yourself—whether by working in a bakery, starting a side hustle, or even selling wedding cakes or cookies from home.

Let’s not forget the myriad of career opportunities that stem from baking. You don’t have to be the one holding the whisk to have a successful food-related career. People have become food lawyers, food scientists, nutritionists, authors, and even website designers for food businesses—all springing from a love of baking. This skill opens doors far beyond the kitchen, connecting people to fields they may never have imagined, while still keeping them tied to the artistry and science of food.

A Path to Creativity, Growth, and Connection

At its core, baking taps into creativity, curiosity, and growth. It’s about more than just following a recipe—it’s about experimentation, improvisation, and sometimes, delightful failure. Whether you’re teaching a child about fractions through measuring flour or developing a new flavor combination, baking challenges us to think critically and creatively. It’s a skill that draws on so many elements of life: math, science, history, and, of course, art. And in that process, it fosters a sense of connection—both to ourselves and to the world around us.

Trust the Process and Follow Your Passion

Baking has the power to transform, whether it’s calming your mind, deepening your relationships, or opening doors to new professional opportunities. It is an act of creation that allows us to express who we are, while also providing us with practical, employable skills. My journey from the kitchen with my grandmother to a career built around baking and mindfulness has taught me this: when you follow what you love, you can create a life that’s both fulfilling and deeply connected to others. So whether you’re baking for fun, for work, or just for the joy of it—trust the process. Your heart knows the way.