i've been cooking all my life. as a career and i like cooking for special occasions at home i am really interested in american regional cooking as ive spent time in new england, the south and hawaii christmas eve is a big deal in our family. between my sisters and their families and their kids and their families and mom and i we all will cook 2-3 items for christmas eve. they can be dessert or appetizer style. they can be everyones favorites or something new. usually theres food leftover for a month. ive catered family weddings and loved the reactions to the finished product