MANILA, Philippines??I had so much fun in theater, but I knew that, one day, people would want someone much younger and more active than me, and I?d have to find another career,? said chef/TV host China Cojuangco of her decision to try culinary arts.

She hasn?t altogether forsaken acting, but China is now concentrating on building a career as a chef. ?Setting priorities is one of the most important things I learned in theater,? China told Inquirer. Aside from hosting Q11?s cooking show, ?My Favorite Recipes,? China also runs a home-based catering business and teaches cooking to kids during summer school break.

For the show?s fourth season, China is joined by her mentor, Gino Gonzalez. Together, they whip up milk-based recipes three times a day, seven days a week. ?We keep them as simple as possible,? said China. Gino is executive chef at Buenisimo Restaurant in Libis, Quezon City, and program director of the family-owned Center for Asian Culinary Studies.

He is also China?s boyfriend of three years. Thus, the show has become more enjoyable, China said. ?It used to feel lonely, talking to myself or to the audience, eating dishes that I cooked all by myself. It feels better now that he?s here. We?re getting better reviews, too, compared to the first three seasons. Viewer response is overwhelming. We recently opened a Facebook fan page.?

How long have you been together?

Exactly three years and eight months. I took up Culinary Arts in the school that his family owns. It was love-at-first-sight for us, but his dad said we were not allowed to have a relationship until after graduation. When I was through with school, he started courting me.

Do you have a formula for a good dish?

Everything is still hit-or-miss. Even if you have the recipe, sometimes you still have to experiment.

How do you handle criticism, especially from Chef Gino?

He definitely has more experience than me. I seek his advice.

What do you love most about him?

He is very generous with his knowledge.

Do you cook at home?

My mom (Tingting) doesn?t cook at all. She and dad (Peping) sort of depend on me for the menu. Our kitchen isn?t practical at all?the interior designer mom hired placed the refrigerator far away from the chopping area. I?d rather have everything within reach. When our five-burner stove broke down, I offered to buy one of the old stoves at school. Gino?s dad said, ?Just give it to her.? I ended up paying only P11,000 for services. Now we have a six-burner.

What can you say to those who want to study cooking?

It?s fun. You can express a lot of emotions with your cooking. Even your characteristics will show?for example, if you?re fond of sweets.

?My Favorite Recipes? airs on Q11 Monday to Friday at 10 a.m., 11:40 a.m. and 6:10 pm.; Saturday at 11 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.; Sunday at 11:40 a.m., 5:40 p.m. and 8:25 p.m.