I am a student in the culinary program here in Alaska. It is my first year, and i am looking forward to learning some great tips and tricks to pass on to others. I enjoy cooking, baking, attending wine tastings, and skiing. My favorite thing to cook is probably Mexican food, just because it's my favorite thing to eat! :) My favorite family cooking tradition is every year during the holidays, my mom and I (and anyone else who wants to join) get together to make a variety of holiday cookies. Then we attend a cookie exchange where we get to sample cookies, make decorative cookie baskets, and exchange recipes. You always end up finding a new favorite for the coming year. I was hurriedly making a lemon meringue pie for a friend's birthday party, when i accidentally added corn meal instead of corn starch! Luckily, I had a bad feeling about the finished product, I tasted it, and it tasted horrible! It went right into the garbage!