I am a professional cook by trade. Most recently I find myself (yet again) in the pastry department but thats o.k. because this time its in Vienna, Austria! I would say cooking is also a hobby because I do it so willingly at home too. I love to cook for friends and family. A fridge full of bits and leftovers. I thrive on challenge! Also, anything seasonal and local. There is nothing more special than using what you find near you and nurturing tradition (bad fruitcake aside) and creativity. White beans with bacon, fish-fry's, christmas citrus fruit salad, old fashioned kneaded christmas cookies, grilling, chicken and dumplings. Boning out a whole chicken intact, and my brothers wedding cake. There are ooooooh, so many. But not many that turned out to be total losses, and all were lessons well learned. Maybe one that has actually stayed with me was the time my french cooking school instructor told me I would never make a great chef because I worked from my shoulders and not my middle, that is my stomach and center of gravity. Shows what he knows.