I was born in 1976 in the Mtn's of NC. and still live here today. I have been cooking for about 15 years now. I started out cooking traditional southern, App. Mtn's food, learning from my mother. After working at an Italian restaurant, starting as a waiter and moving to the kitchen, that's when I really began to love to cook. After leaving the restaurant business, I've been in my kitchen trying to create new dishes ever since. I like to try all foods, but my favorites would be BBQ, smoking with hickory and oak, and Italian. Over all, Appalacian Mtn food. However, traditionally we enjoy Italian food. Recently we have begun a new tradition: Once a week a member of our extended family and friends create (or find a recipe for) a new and exiting dish we have never tried. So far, nothing extravagant, but tomorrow could be different. Again, no tremendous failures, but tomorrow could be different.