I am 40 and have been cooking for about 20 years. Over the years, my skills have greatly improved. Each new meal is still a learning experience, though. A couple of things about my cooking style: 1) I rarely measure ingredients. It's not too difficult to eyeball most measurements in the palm of your hand. Which is why I DONT... 2)...bake! Especially candy making. Both require precise measurements, and that leaves little room for personal flair. I get bored simply following directions. 3) I like to try all sorts of recipes. I use most recipes as guidelines, but nothing set in stone. The SECOND time I make a dish is when it gets fun; adding or subtracting ingredients to my taste. 4) I taste everything as I am cooking. (If company is around, I just don't let them see me dipping into the soup as it simmers!) Aside from cooking, I also enjoy writing and grammar. It's very frustrating that I can't use paragraphs in my profile! I think I am best at cooking asian fooods. I adore Tam Yum Gai (lemongrasss soup) and other Thai dishes. I even grow lemongrasss in my garden. But anything stir-fried is good. And soups! I LOVE soups. Any type. I make a killer Franch Onion and an awesome Hot Sour soup. I'm a guy...I like to grill. No real traditions: my grandmother did a lot of fabulous baking, but as you have learned, I hate baking. My best dishes that always receive raves: Tom Yam Gai, Tom Kai Gai, Hot Sour Soup, Scechuan Chicken, and anything with shrimp. No tragedies, but some I've tried recipes that didn't always work.