I am happily retired after traveling extensively for 20 years working in the food industry. I loved eating at the local favorites of different regions of the country and learning the recipes. I spend my time now doing all the things I missed out on by traveling for so many years. I love to experiment with different foods and cultural recipes. I've been cooking for over 40 years and still learning new things every day. Currently I am experimenting in the garden, growing my own herbs to use. Chicken and Dumplings, Fried Chicken, Smoked Pulled Pork, Fried Catfish and Hushpuppies, Pecan pie, Rice pudding, Fry bread, Squash cassaroles, Grits, Green Fried Tomatoes and Cajun dishes to name a few. I LOVE to cook and luckily my family LOVES to eat. I have akways baked but I am currently trying to learn baking on a higher level and pastry making. Without a doubt family Fish Frys, my Daddy's smoked meats at holidays, Momma' Sunday dinners with comfort food dishes passed down from my momma and daddy and my grandmommas and their mommas and grandmommas over the years. My annual Christmas cookie-making day with my daughter, nieces, grand-nieces and my grandson. A delicious Hot and Sour soup from a recipe given to me by a very generous chef a few years ago while I was in Seattle. I love to cook Seafood, Cajun, Italian, Mexican, Chinese and Japanese foods. I am working on learning the basics of French cooking at present. When I was 12 or 13 without help or advice I cooked the entire Thanksgiving dinner with giblets intact in the bird! My brothers still smile to this day when I say I will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Aren't memories fun?