Taste and presentation is what I have learned the most about cooking. I love creating that "WOW" factor in my dishes. My Nana Jennie was the best cook and my Mom ran a close 2nd to her. So I learned from the very best cooks. I live in a small resort community as a caterer so it's important to me to create and make the very best dishes. I love cooking for family and friends and trying out new dishes on them to test. They are my best critics. I love cooking Italian and Mexican foods. I had the best teachers for my Mexican dishes, my parents are wonderful cooks. I love experimenting with different Italian dishes with fresh ingredients. I love baking too. I love trying new dessert dishes and I am always the one to volunteer a dessert for a function. I love making dishes that my mother and father and grandma taught me to make. One of my favorites is homemade Taquitos with gucamole, Pork Chile Verde, Mexican rice, refried beans, my grandma Jennie's macaroni salad and my sister-in-law Patti's Strawberry pretzel salad. That is my favorite meal to make. My favorite time of year is Christmas when my mom and my aunts have our annual tamale party. We have so much fun making homemade tamales and just being together. I love having succesful dinner parties. I've done dinner parties for 50 or more people. I love cooking dinner for our church. I am in the catering business and I enjoyed cooking in client's homes. When I first got married, my husband was my food tester and would try all the dishes I was learning to make. Some were not so successful, but he has always been honest with me and encouraged me to never give up and keep trying. Now he would love to see me open my own restaurant.