Professional freelance photographer by trade. Creole and Cajun food, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Seafood, and Desserts Learning from my mother that it is possilbe to burn almost anything until the remains can only be served in an urn. Doing the catering for a Mardi Gras party at my house and making enough to feed 60 of my friends and having every dish come put perfectly. My first Thanksgiving with my partner. I tried to cook a turkey which was a total flop. It didn't thaw right, and not being experienced with it I tried to thaw it in the sink, and then I tried to removed the neck and giblets...From the wrong end. After an hour under warm water it seemed thawed so I popped it in the oven and basted that little #$!@ with butter every 30 mins and after 4 plus hours of cooking it was still pink, so I cut it up and put it in the microwave and while it was cooking we sat down and started on the side dishes and by the time the bloody bird was done cooking we were so full we couldn't eat it. I swore then and there never to attempt cooking another one again, and I've stuck to that pledge for 17 Thanksgivings!