Live in Southern California, and exposed to numerous different types of cuisines since I was a child. My favorites: Japanese food (love it...really is near and dear to my heart since I grew up in a Japanese neighborhood), and Mexican food (Southern California-natch). Lately I've discovered I really like baking. And not even really for ME to devour it...I like having baked items around because we usually have a lot of guests popping in and out (family, friends, etc), and it's always nice to have something sweet handy. I don't really have too many because my mom was an efficient cook, not one really for traditions. But I'm trying to start some with my own kids. Any time my husband likes the food (and hasn't tried it before), I consider it a triumph! I've made some really bad stuff. Mainly it happens when I cook meat, and the meat doesn't cook enough, or I take it out too soon. Disaster.