I graduated from the Culinary Institute of New Orleans at the age of 20. I live in Oklahoma City now, with my fiance and his family. I love people, but we're sci-fi geeks. You were warned. ;) I'm also an animal lover, as is my fiance. We've got three cats, and I have plans to get another small pet soon, with daydreams of puppies. I'm currently working as a "starving artist" and homemaker/ domestic servant. Trust me, with a fiance like mine, it's a noble profession. ;) Right now, I'm experimenting with other peoples' versions of old classics, as well as authentic Chinese, Japanese, and Caribbean, but I can cook creole, French, Mexican, and American with ease! The high point of our social occasions, aside from being elated to see everyone, is always food. My family is wonderful, and never fails to surprise me with some delicious treat during a get-together. I specialized in pastry during culinary, and do recall a couple of dishes that wow'd my peers: an orange cake with amaretto icing, and a Bavarian creme cup with berries. I have also been part of a team of pastry chefs working at a high-volume gourmet food store & catering business. I eventually moved on to a small, local grill house, one of those hole in the wall type places, because it was less stress, and a much shorter commute. Created a couple of sandwiches that still get served there to this day. Chocolate fudge hates me. I can't really say why, since I've produced a variety of other candies with success, and I always follow directions for fudge to the letter. I simply cannot make proper fudge.