I started cooking as a teen. My mom worked late and by the time she arrived home, got dinner on the table and we would eat, it would be 8 or 9pm. So I started out by getting things ready for her and it progressed on to me just cooking the meal. I really liked it and things blossomed from there. My wife hates to cook so I have always done it all and my 2 daughters have grown up with my cooking. My cooking skills have greatly improved since I started watching Foodnetwork. Chicken Cheesecake Entree Salads Beef Stew Soups On Christmas eve we always have Clam Chowder. For most holidays I also make a Cinnamon Red Hot Jello salad that was my Mom's recipe. It has applesauce in it and is delicious. I helped my daughter throw a party for her college friends last year. We made 15 different appetizers. It was a huge success. I have never been able to make a Red Velvet Cake. Years ago I made one and it was nice and red, but I had forgotten the sugar! Ick! Then I made one for my daughter and it tasted good but did not look red even though I used an entire bottle of food color.