My passion for cooking began at age 12 when my sister Phyllis showed me how to create some family favorites. We shared those special moments in the kitchen by making things like home-made meatloaf with potatoes and carrots, baked chicken, and then we would add the finishing touches with a home-made dessert like fresh apple pie or warm oatmeal raisin cookies! I love to make home-made spaghetti sauce, gourmet meals, and home-baked breads and pastries. I genuinely love sharing my passion for cooking and baking with others and I especially enjoy the holidays because they are a perfect time for enjoying delicious food with the great company of family and friends! On Thanksgiving Day, we always put the turkey in the oven by 6:00 a.m. This gives the turkey plenty of time to cook and cool...sealing in the juices before the infamous hand-carving for our hungry guests! I entered a baking contest once and won first prize for my swiss chocolate cake with creme de menthe icing! I was only 22 at the time, so it really helped to boost my confidence as a young novice in the kitchen! I burnt a batch of cookies once, when I fell asleep waiting for the last batch to be done. WORD TO THE WISE: Don't cook or bake anything when you are tired or it is past your normal bedtime!