Love Smells Like Onion - By DIANNE

Written By: DIANNE

Category: Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative essay "Love Smells Like Onion," DIANNE takes readers through a journey of familial bonds and personal growth, framed within the context of cooking. This essay, a part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, delves into the intimate connection between the scents of a kitchen and the essence of love. Through her exploration, DIANNE captures the profound realization that love can be as simple and as complex as the aroma of onions.

About the Work

DIANNE's "Love Smells Like Onion" is a heartfelt reflection on how the scents of cooking, particularly onions, evoke memories of love and family. Her writing style is warm and introspective, weaving a narrative that highlights the love inherent in daily rituals and the kitchen's role in family dynamics. Through vivid imagery and personal anecdotes, DIANNE captures the essence of love as something enduring and practical, much like the humble onion.

Love Smells Like Onion

Original Submission by DIANNE

Love Smells Like Onion

I remembered what my old man’s hands used to smell like. It was very distinct, and I’ve always assumed that the scent was because of his constant cigarette consumption. Little did I know that the smell of my father’s hands was the scent of love.

See, my dad loved to cook and was the appointed chef in the family. We weren’t allowed to touch or do anything in the kitchen premises without his supervision. He had a very keen way of doing things-how a potato is peeled, how the tomatoes are chopped. We would always end up messing things up (purposely?), so most of the time we got sent out of the kitchen. Therefore, I grew up with very little experience in the kitchen (thanks to Grandma and my aunts, I was able to learn the basics at least).

As I pursue the life of adulting, one of the challenges of independence is keeping myself alive. And so, I have once again found myself on a little adventure in an unfamiliar place, forced to roam the wilderness of the kitchen premises-alone. But I now wield the power of the pots and pans, the knives and the chopping board. I command the ladles, strainers, and spatulas. The can opener, spoons, and forks move under my order.

And in my several attempts at cooking beyond my mastered craft of frying eggs, I’ve come to notice that my hands have started smelling like how Papa’s hands used to. With my daily kitchen adventures, I’ve come to discover the culprit of the smell-ONIONS.

I’ve also come to know why, despite the tiresome peeling, cutting, and chopping; the endless stirring, flipping, washing, and reusing; and no matter how many cuts and burns, and how much you repeatedly cry from chopping onions, people still cook. Over and over and over again.

Because that is what love makes us do. Doing things no matter how it tires us, and finding the strength to do it repeatedly, continually, and consistently for our favorite people. And it made me realize that love doesn’t only smell like flowers, chocolates, perfumes, and all other sweet scents.

Love also smells like onions-with a dash of garlic (and everything else).

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates the art of writing by inviting participants from around the world to share their unique voices and stories. This renowned event provides a platform for writers to explore diverse themes and express their creativity in poetry, essays, and short stories.

We extend our gratitude to DIANNE for sharing her poignant essay, "Love Smells Like Onion," as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her exploration of love through the lens of cooking offers a new perspective on familial relationships and personal growth. Thank you, DIANNE, for your heartfelt contribution.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.