I started cooking at the ripe old age of 12 when I made swiss steak with all the trimmings and cherry's jubilee for our family. Made my first turkey and all the side dishes at 16 for 32 people and have been cooking ever since. Retired married/mom/grandmother after 40 years in the travel industry. Tried many different cuisines throughout the world in my travels and experimented with trying my hand with different dishes and types of food. Still enjoying cooking very much and love to watch people eat. I've been called the left over Queen more than once. I love to use leftovers from the freezer or what is in the fridge and make some things that aren't quite discernable at the end. But they still taste good. Probably favorites are Czech, German, Mexican, Italian, and creating a different twist on old favorites. Family cooking traditions have changed so much throughout the years but the fondest memories are the Thanksgving and Christmas traditions that have changed little throughout the years. I remember butchering days whether beef, hogs or chickens, and cooking up the meat for snacks as we were wrapping the meats. This was a family tradition in the days of old. Have entered a number of cooking contest and in the 70/80's won several contests. However, as the career took over those days went by the wayside and I quite entering contests but hope to start again since I'm retired.