I've been cooking since I was a teenager. I did it professionally for a while. Now days, it's my creative outlet. I love to cook, but hate it when it starts to feel like a chore. I am inclined to always use fresh, natural and organic ingredients whenever possible. I always try to support local and sustainable farming. Not only is it better for you and the earth, but it just tastes better. And isn't that what a chef is going for anyway? I owe most of my kitchen know-how to my old boss, Jennifer. She taught me all the basics. Without her, I would be doomed to always following a recipe step-by-step. My sister is my inspiration. Shes more than a chef. She's an artist in the kitchen. She's absolutely amazing(although very messy), and gives me something to strive for. Everything. Anything. Something new. Whatever, as long as the people I'm cooking it for love it! None. We didn't really have any. My mom was not much of a cook herself. She hated being in the kitchen. Now days, my sister and I are the chefs of the family, and I'm sure that over the years to come, we'll manage to start a few traditions for our kids to carry on.