My first restaurant job was in college. I was hired at a Greek family owned restaurant as a saute cook almost right off the street. It was a suprisingly great fit! I cooked and moved to expo and was a kitchen manager helping with revisions of the menu every year. I have been inspired ever since. My roommates would come home to me throwing food in their faces, telling them "Just try it! It's all edible!" My husband is always willing to try my new (sometimes random) concoctions, what a trooper. I love Italian food but have really worked lately to expand my horizons a little bit. I love trying new recipes that challenge me and force me to try something new. My mom always tells me that I "cook fancy." I don't really think I do but... I grew up on spaghetti and jarred sauce with hamburger added; goulash (that I hated), black olive sandwiches and a couple of "family recipes." Neither of which have much for ingredients or difficulty but are still my faves (my husband too). I love having cooking triumphs! But let's face it, who doesn't. My most recent was deviled eggs. I took them to a 4th of July party and they were the rave of the party. I really like cooking for other people like those at work or at parties. My husband gives good honest feedback but getting feedback from others seems to encourage me more. Oh my goodness! It's always so disappointing when you kill a meal. Most of the time the problem was too high of heat or my attention was lost to something else for too long. Argh. I am sure to have at least one by the end of 2009 so I'll have to remember to put my play-by-play in here.