Valeria, known by the stage name Fifth Channel, often talks about her relationship with food and the realities of time in a busy life. She is clear about one thing: she knows how to cook, yet the demands of her schedule leave little room for kitchen moments. In conversations with reporters and fans, she explains a practical truth many in the public spotlight share—cooking is a skill she values, but it isn’t always the priority when deadlines and commitments pile up. The singer describes a lifestyle where meals sometimes come second to creative projects, tours, and the logistics of maintaining a public career. Still, when the quiet returns, or when weekends offer a pause from performances and media obligations, she allows herself the pleasure of cooking, turning to the stove as a form of relaxation and a small act of self-care. Even during unusually slow periods, such as a forced pause on the calendar, she finds time to nourish herself in simple, deliberate ways, proving that the kitchen can be a sanctuary even in the middle of a demanding life.
During a recent discussion, she reflected on the contrasts between daily life and vacation moments. She notes that vacations and weekends become opportunities to reconnect with the basics of food preparation—activities that may be overlooked in a hectic schedule but feel essential when time is more forgiving. She recalls cooking frequently during strict travel restrictions, when the rhythm of daily routines shifted and the kitchen became a reliable space for comfort and routine. In those periods, she found a steady, almost meditative rhythm in preparing meals, valuing the sense of normalcy that cooking could provide. The idea that food can anchor a sense of stability is a recurring theme in her reflections on life and art, a reminder that nourishment sustains both voice and vitality even when the world outside is restless.
Among her culinary favorites is a dish she has come to love deeply: a cottage cheese-stuffed grape leaf. She explains that this recipe became a staple a while back, a comforting and reliable option that travels well in different settings. Although she does not recall the exact moment or source of the method, the preparation has endured as a cherished favorite. The method is straightforward and comforting, blending simple ingredients into something satisfying. To recreate it, one combines a pack of cottage cheese with an egg for binding, and then folds in chopped greens for freshness and color. The mixture is then placed gently at the center of a grape leaf, folded into a neat envelope, and prepared with care. The final step is gentle simmering until the leaves take on a deeper color and soften to release their aroma. The result is a tender, savory bite that feels both wholesome and indulgent, a small culinary ritual that mirrors the balance Valeria seeks in life—creative intensity paired with quiet, nourishing moments. The preparation embodies a sense of ritual and simplicity, a contrast to the bright, high-energy persona she presents on stage.
Beyond the kitchen, she has shared glimpses of her days that reveal a more candid, unfiltered side. In anecdotes and interviews, she has appeared without heavy makeup, presenting a version of herself that resonates with audiences who value honesty and authenticity. This unguarded approach to her craft and image mirrors the way she approaches cooking: with a direct, unembellished honesty that invites others to see the real person behind the art. The themes of time, nourishment, and unvarnished moments form a thread through her storytelling, inviting listeners and viewers to consider how everyday choices—what to cook, when to rest, how to be present—shape a life in the public eye while remaining true to personal tastes and needs.