Since baking my first batch of cookies at age 5, I've been in love with the entire process of creating delicious baked treats and healthy meals. I'm currently researching Southeastern US cullinary schools and plan to attend a pastry chef program. I believe that baking and cooking are not only a creative outlet but also an expression of love for the intended eater and passion for the cullinary art. I'm from a Caribbean family, born and raised in Northern US surrounded by Italian influences and now I'm living in the South US... all of those cultural influences come through in my cooking and baking and lend themselves to my creative interpretation. I cook for loved ones at home and for strangers through my Etsy shop (http://CraftyGourmetLove.etsy.com). For desserts it's gourmet cookies, I love how many various delicious cookies you can make with one simple starter batch. Cookies are fun, who doesn't love a cookie? Cookie bars are next on my list as they can be so decedant and creative. As far as cooking meals, I love to come up with ways to health up a traditional comfort dish and still have it taste every bit as comforting sans the guilt. Italian and Puerto Rican foods are close to my heart and fun to create as well. My favorite family cooking tradition is bringing friends into the kitchen and get them cooking with us, even if they have no cooking experience. It's always great to see someone realize that cooking is a lot easier than they thought and how worth it, it can be to try something new. My triumphs happen everytime I create a new recipe and it comes out as good or better than I had thought it out to be previously in my mind and others enjoy it as well. My tragedies are when a recipe doesn't turn out anything like what I thought our hoped it would be and turns out to be not so tasty. But that's all part of cooking, trial and error.