I've been cooking since I was a lad of nine years. It was my Aunt Josephine who got me started... direct from Naples, that lady loved to cook. Later in life, I managed to spend two years studing the culinary arts in Europe; where I was a line chef at two places in Naples. I currently split my time between graphic art and design, where I've written 17 books, and 40 training DVD's and my catering business. My first cookbook was published in 2007 called: Cooking with a Plan, and I'm working on the second... YIPPIE! Look out Emeril ;-) Italian is one of my favorite areas; however, the catering business keeps me doing all sorts of things. I like to take big dishes and make them small... like bite-size lasagnas, or mini cheese cakes. Small, bite-size, and artfull are good things when you cater. To me, family is what cooking is all about. I grew up in an era where America was moving away from the kitchen, but not in my family. The kitchen is as much a "living room", as any other part of the house. Sundays were always a traditional day for family, friends and big meals, and they still are. I don't know about triumphs... braised chicken in a special chili sauce is one of my favorites, and one that my clients keep asking for. I think my biggest triumph, is being able to do something (cooking) that I love so much, and actually get paid to do it. Oh, there are too many of those to list... including a nice big kicthen fire on Thanksgiving 1996... OUCH! Now that's what I call a "roasted" turkey.