I was in the Navy for 5 years and travelled extensively. Picked up a lot of recipes and cooking tips from all over the world. I'm now back in St. Louis, MO. I enjoy entertaining and cooking for friends. I love music and comedy stand-up. Jim Gaffigan is one of my favorites! He does a great bit about food. I like things with spice! I love to experiement cooking different ethnic foods. I will try to tackle anything....and I have gotten in over my head some times! Cooking should be fun, so if I don't enjoy making something, I won't! My mother never was a big cook. I learned a lot from watching my grandma, she was a soul / southern cook. I stil haven't mastered many of her recipes, as she kept most of them in her head and cooked mostly from memory and impulse. What I considered my first real dinner party. I was nervous....did I plan the correct menu, would everyone like it....would there be enough? It was a huge success and I was literally glowing from the compliments. I haven't had a real tragedy yet....knock on wood!