Food and I go WAY BACK!! I started cooking at a very young age out of curiosity and a desire to create...I like to challenge myself when it comes to all things culinary and gastronomic. I will try anything once! I definitely enjoy trying new things...I have always loved the cuisine of India and Italy, Mexico and the Middle East. I love being able to create delicious, authentic food from those countries. I also greatly enjoy baking; bread, muffins, cookies, quick breads, etc. I have a special place in my heart-and stomach!-for comfort food. Casseroles, soups, stews, anything involving chicken, crock pot cookery, and all forms of seafood are things I truly enjoy cooking, serving and eating. I have a couple of firm beliefs: The kitchen is the heart of the home, and the way to Anyone's heart is through their stomachs! The kitchen is where you'll find me when I'm not working; that's pretty much 'the tradition'! Every time I pull of a multi-coursed meal I feel triumphant. Especially if I've made Indian, there's just so much prep work! When all the elements of a meal come together perfectly I consider it a delicious victory, and when my guests are delirious with joy, I have succeeded! I absolutely HATE it when I burn cookies...I have learned the hard way to be very diligent and attentive! I used to have an uncanny ability to burn garlic toast EVERY TIME! That problem, too, has been remedied by mindful diligence...