Foodaholic type so I learned to cook fairly early. I love trying new recipes from various cuisines and collecting cookbooks when traveling. Sunday dinner, special occasion desserts, family Thanksgiving, etc. I make 20+ varieties of cookies and candy at Christmas for gifts. I've talked about taking a break but friends and family threaten to disown me! My first baked alaska at age 13; keeping daily family meals fun, interesting and varied is an ongoing challenge. I hate making the same thing twice unless it's fabulous. When I can't find ingredients that I need for a new recipe. When "celebrity" cooks' recipes don't work.