cooking was fine but it was the savoring that he enjoyed most.
Examples of savoring
savoring
I veered for it, savoring the prospect of an express ride to my 23rd-floor room.
From the freep.com
Back then, the innumerable daily demands prevented me from savoring any moments.
From the lillian-hunter.blogspot.com
Swallowing, according to Jane, would take us to another level, that of savoring.
From the theepochtimes.com
Bite into a perfectly ripe tomato, and it is like savoring a glass of good wine.
From the washingtonpost.com
Then try savoring the scent of lemon, mango, lavender, or other fragrant plants.
From the sciencedaily.com
The horde of Italian fans lingered, savoring one last moment of Olympic triumph.
From the signonsandiego.com
In the midst of savoring, the Christmas story may reclaim us in unexpected ways.
From the heraldmagazine.wordpress.com
Indeed the Administration was savoring a rare bit of encouraging news from Iran.
From the time.com
On Friday, he was savoring freedom and a shrimp po-boy with sweet potato fries.
From the timesunion.com
More examples
Enjoy: derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in; "She relished her fame and basked in her glory"
Relish: the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth
Taste: have flavor; taste of something
Taste appreciatively; "savor the soup"
Give taste to
(savoring) tasting: taking a small amount into the mouth to test its quality; "cooking was fine but it was the savoring that he enjoyed most"
The specific taste or smell of something; a distinctive sensation; to possess a particular taste or smell, or a distinctive quality; to appreciate, enjoy or relish something