I've been married 28 years. I began learning to cook by watching my mother and father. They were excellent cooks. My mother's specialties were a batter-fried shrimp that used paprika (which made the shrimp RED), potato soup and corned beef hash. My father's were shrimp gumbo and cornmeal-fried shrimp. Their recipes usually required simple and basic ingredients - I guess that's why I like simply prepared foods best. My husband is a really, really good cook. He's best at grilling ("can" chickens to die for and fajitas to kill for!). He makes some of the best burgers I've ever had. Cornmeal-fried shrimp (dad's recipe) Potato soup (mom's recipe) We didn't really have any cooking "traditions", at least I can't really think of any. Our family wasn't really big on traditions of any kind come to think of it. I have no cooking triumphs per se. I pretty much think that anyone who comes to my house and raves over my food as being a triumph for me! lol Cooking tragedies - - can't think of any of those either. As a Jehovah's Witness I've never had to "cook big" for holidays or gatherings. I am the worst at watching tortillas cook! I burn several every time I'm in charge of those!