My story is pretty basic, I love to cook. I started cooking as a child, and have enjoyed my time in the kitchen ever since. I have had a few professional classes, but mostly, my knowledge is self taught. Trial and error seems to work best for me and usually, the errors are not so bad that you can't eat them. I have a very stressful full time job and I often stop at the gym after work. I like to prepare healthful, quick and easy dinners during the week. One of the reasons that I go to the gym is so I can EAT!! Weekends are for golf and playing in the kitchen. That is when I try out recipes. I am more of a cook than a baker, although I have been making more cakes and desserts lately. I make good yeast rolls, and have finally mastered a flaky pie crust. I subscribe to several cooking magazines and try to make whatever recipe appears on the cover. My goal is to make it look as good as it appears on the cover. Roasts, braises, pastas, ethnic, I love to cook it all. I also enjoy pairing wines with the food that I prepare. My heritage is Italian, so everything we do is centered around food. We all cook and enjoy being together where everyone prepares part of the meal. Usually the meals are more Continental/Italian. Sometimes everyone will bring part of a meal with the food already prepared. At other times we will all help prepare the entire meal in my kitchen with everyone taking part. It is a great way to bring a family together.