I mean, when you say you're not sure how lentil soup translates to career growth, maybe it's not so direct, but idk, showing you care about your hobbies can say a lot about your character. Like, taking good soup photos might show you're creative or pay attention to details, which are useful skills at any job. Maybe your boss is just trying to connect in a more human way, and that personal link could actually lead to real professional help later. It's a bit weird for sure, but sometimes networking starts with just showing interest in someone's life outside work. Maybe it's just me, but this could be a genuine try to support you, even if it missed the mark.

My friend Dave found a jar of dried rosemary in his cupboard from his old apartment. He tossed it into some roasted potatoes last week, and they came out with this deep, herby flavor. Kinda like what @caseyf32 said, dried stuff holds up better than people think. Dave said it saved him a trip to the store, and now he checks his pantry before buying fresh.