I am a Colorado born native transplanted to Maine and going back to Colorado soon. I love to cook and am a self taught professional cake decorator and Chef. I have worked/owned several food service businesses in the past and am a Dietary Professional who has developed my own recipes in many venues. I am an avid "Real Food" enthusiast and encourage everyone to find, cook and eat only "Real Foods". I love to plan, cook and serve meals to people who cannot do it for themselves. It is very rewarding to see people eat the foods they love when preparing it is out of their reach, for example Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities and shut-in's. Holidays were always full of wonderful foods, smells,and festivities in my family and I have kept those traditions alive. My mother made candies for Christmas, and everything handmade, Dipped Cherry Chocolates, Divinity, Fudge, and all the rest! Now I do it too, so does my daughter, professionally and at home. I have been very succesful developing recipes. My first and most fabulous triumph was when I was finally successful in baking a loaf of bread! Really, I had trouble there! But after developing my own recipe, in 1978 I took all the championship ribbons at the local county fair on that one loaf of bread! I was thrilled, and I went on with cooking from there. My first attempt at make a roast was a tragedy. I cooked it hot and not long enough and it was beautiful! Well, beautiful until we cut into it, it was raw in middle, not even close to being "Rare". It was mortifying, well ... I was only 17! Now I can do them to be sure, and even a Beef Wellington is no sweat!