Growing up I was a terrible eater - very picky. I started cooking so that I could be sure about the ingredients, but as I have gotten older, I am much more willing to try things (but still not too spicy and not very many peppers in my food). I sometimes spend all day thinking about the meal I am going to cook (not in a bad way - but great anticipation for how it will turn out). Schnitzel - in fact, dredging and breading is a favorite of mine. Also steak on the barbecue grill. I have 4 kids so I have a lot of helpers in the kitchen. One is always on call for rubbing a marinade or dry rub on steak, or mixing the hamburger recipe. Another is my dredger. Another does some of the knife work in prep. And the toddler is just always there to help. I encourage my family to give feedback - and now I have a teamful of critics. Normally helpful, but sometimes I think they sit down at a meal looking for the flaws instead of enjoying the food. I have made some great meals - many of which thanks to this site. Garlic Prime Rib has been the masterpiece, but lots of small victories. I have nearly 90 recipes in my repertoire right now - and that is growing weekly. Made a baked spaghetti that had an egg in the middle, but when I cut into it, it was runny and liquidy in the middle. Ended up throwing it out. Also, failed a number of times on pork brines -- ended up with way too salty food. Spent a year in Korea experimenting and had a few meals that didn't work out (but fortunately, it was just me there, so I could have the embarrassment in private) - definitely made me a better cook, though.