When I was younger food was something special. There was a time in my life where my family didn't have a lot of it, and I would get excited when my mother could afford to get a couple of pounds of ground hamburger. While I was growing up I had two major people to influence my cooking. First and for most my mother. Once we got into a better living situation and could afford good food, I would help her cook. I believe I gain much valuable insight from watching her cook (and leading a hand when needed). The second would be a friend of my fathers, Beth. She started me cooking at a very young age. Started with helping me cook cookies at 5, and moved into helping me make a soup at 8. She taught me valuable information about herbs and spices and their purpose. She is one of the best cooks I know and it is a honor to have the food she makes in front of you. I stride to have the same reputation , and find a satisfactionin watching people enjoy the food I make.