[Yep, he wants to do good for his young partner. He can be such a dad at times honestly. And yes, he does recall this werecat speaking to him when Mandragora first arrived and during the beach celebration.]

Nay, I have no particular preference. I need not to learn how to make a fancy dish but ensure that they are filling and good for the spirit.

[Translation: he wants to learn to make good old fashioned homestyle cooking. The kind that stick to your ribs because he knows as a soldier, it was more important to ensure a fully belly in order to do one's duty.]