I have been cooking since I was 8 years old. I have taken lessons at a Gourmet Cooking shop (an outreach for the Culinary Arts School) for many years and then started a gourmet cooking group. Italian, Italian, Italian! I also make great appetizers and desserts, thanks to all the cooking classes I took in my 20's and 30's. All Southern foods, my mom fried EVERYTHING. However, I hardly fry a thing. My husband has to beg me for fried chicken; which I do very well thanks to my mothers southern recipe. I was a caterer for many years and was only known by request (didn't advertise) but stayed very busy! My first turkey. I forgot to take out the inside packet containing the neck, gizzard, etc. My husband freaked!!!