Growing up both of my parents were excellent cooks. They both always allowed me to help out in the kitchen as a child. Now as an adult I have become the cook of my family. When I visit I'm expected to be the one in the kitchen. Thankfully, I think of the kitchen as the heart of the home. I love having everyone gather around a well prepared meal and enjoying one another's company. I love to make anything hearty! Lot's of creams and cheeses. I love to bake cheesecake, although I don't have the opportunity a lot of the time. Otherwise I love trying new pastas, salads, and casseroles. I also love to make things that I can put together ahead of time and throw in the oven when I get home from work. My favorite family cooking tradition would have to be making spritz cookies with my Mom at Christmas time. It's probably the first baking that I was allowed to participate in and something that I will make sure to do with my kids someday. Also, every fall my Grandmother and all of my aunts get together and make about 80 homemade apple pies. I love anything that gets the women of the family together in the kitchen! Cheesecake! When I was in junior high I bought a cake cookbook at a bookfair in my local school. The first cake I chose to make was a chocolate supreme cheesecake. Ever since I feel as though I have mastered the art of cheesecakes. They always turn out so rich and lovely; not to mention the many compliments I recieve! Nothing too awful has happened yet!