My Son Loves Broccoli

Elliot, aged two and a half, loves broccoli. Besides that, he thinks tomatoes are yummy! He zooms in on broccoli when it is on a dish, and takes to cherry tomatoes like they are potato chips –he just pops them into his mouth as snacks.

Possibly the reason for Elliot’s willingness to woof down vegetables, has been his father’s readiness to let him try out new things and learn about what he likes. Dad, Mervyn Phan, 32, finds it heartening that Elliot digs in readily to the cherry tomatoes baked in olive oil with basil. As it is what Elliot likes, Mervyn is ever willing to make it for him. It also helps that they are very easy to prepare.

And, knowing that most kids often get into a bitter broil with their parents over whether or not to eat their vegetables, Mervyn makes an effort to present broccoli in a manner that appeals to Elliot.

Another reason that Elliot has such a comfortable relationship with food may stem from the daily ritual of sharing meals with Mervyn and his wife, Amanda. After coming home from work each day, Elliot sits together with them at the table, even if he has already had dinner. This way they get to spend time as a family, and Elliot gets to enjoy little morsels of yummy stuff from their plates.

Nonetheless, we all have our food preferences. Mervyn shares that Elliot does not like raisins, but that does not faze him. “There are substitutes for food that children don’t like,” says Mervyn with a matter of fact tone in his voice. This probably explains why he is able to creatively prepare meals that appeal to kids.

Cooking Comes Naturally

Cooking comes naturally to Mervyn. The name and face behind Cookyn with Mervyn. he has been holding themed cooking lessons for groups the past two years at the school; teaching them to put together tempting dishes in a relaxed setting that is every much like home.

The business was an extension of Mervyn’s warm hospitality and his passion for good quality ingredients. Five years working in various departments at a fine foods company, opened Mervyn’s eyes to the great wide world of gastronomy. The company he worked for, brought in exotic ingredients such as veal and foie gras –stuff gourmet buffs simply live for. And, Mervyn did not just stop at marketing the products or looking into the inventory. Rather, he purchased the ingredients, and soon began preparing meals for family and friends.

Amanda posted Mervyn’s culinary masterpieces online, and whetted the appetite of even more people –foodies and those who liked cooking. So, Mervyn started inviting friends over for cooking parties. That marked the beginning of the next stage of his career with food.

Self-taught, Mervyn nonetheless reckons that cooking is in his genes because he is Hainanese*. During the colonial days in Singapore, many Hainanese worked in family and commercial kitchens for the British. Hence, “Hainanese Western” food evolved from those days to form part of the Singapore –and Phan family- “foodscape”. Mervyn’s dad only cooks occasionally at home, but is as comfortable serving Potato Bacon Gratin as he is cooking Sweet and Sour Pork.

And Mervyn’s mum, who is Teochew, takes pride in serving up sumptuous home-cooked dishes for extended family gatherings at Grandma’s. She is without doubt a great cook, with her skills honed by having lovingly prepared nutritious meals for the family for many years.

In fact, Mervyn’s first memories related to cooking are those of his mum stir-frying in the family kitchen. There was something simply fascinating about the brisk action of the hand and finally plating scrumptious dishes on the table.

Cookies, Cheese Straws and Confectionary

If food could speak, it would speak volumes about times families have spent cooking together, sharing the fruits of their labour. And, that is the rich heritage Mervyn is passing on to his son, Elliot. Recently, they had a great time baking cheese straws. While some came out looking like the average cheese straw, Mervyn gave Elliot the freedom and fun to design the confectionary in the most curious shapes.

Mervyn admits that cooking with children can be challenging; nonetheless it offers up funny moments. For example, it was hilarious to see Elliot “walk off with a block of butter”. At the same time, it opens up opportunities for children to feel proud about what they were able to do with their hands. Furthermore, Mervyn and Amanda make it a point to get Elliot to share what he bakes with both sets of grandparents. Surely that warms their hearts.

Without doubt, Elliot is a source of happiness to the people around him. Mervyn shares that he appreciates “the joy of being able to spend time with a child” –especially so after a hard day at work.

Giving our Children the Best Ingredients

He points out, “(What you see in) Children are a reflection of what you teach them.” This, Mervyn finds, is the most fulfilling, yet at the same time most challenging aspect about fatherhood. He explains, “You are (as a dad) responsible for his life, upbringing and (molding) his character.”

It is also gratifying for Mervyn to see how Elliot has gradually learnt to trust him more and more. In the past, Elliot would insist on having spicy food despite the fact that he could not tolerate it. Now, Elliot takes Mervyn’s word that the food is just too spicy and refrains from taking it.

Professionally, Mervyn has found his niche in cooking. As a dad, he has, in the past two and a half years, been guiding and encouraging Elliot to explore the world for himself. Mervyn reckons that good food –home cooked or gourmet— will always be part of Elliot’s life, but there are no expectations that the little boy grow up to pursue a career in the food and beverage industry. Elliot can be what he chooses to be.

In pursuing his passion, Mervyn probably has given Elliot one of the best ingredients in life –the courage to innovate. Mervyn has put together his deep understanding of food and the practice of warm hospitality, with his interest in cooking and turned it into a viable business. That is boldness in action.

That is Mervyn -father, family man, friend and fantastic in the kitchen.

*a Chinese dialect group

---

About the Author: The Dad for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.

---

 

Back to Listing