I am young professional culinarian currently working for the Microsoft Conference Center at the main campus in Redmond, WA. working for the Conference Center I have had not only the pleasure of cooking for the Microsoft VIP's but also get to prepare food for Bill Gates and Steve Balmer on a regular basis. I am not sure if I have a favorite? I love rustic down to earth cooking techniques and food. I love the constant change in the industry. I love the research that accompanies almost evrything I do at work. I am very thankful to live in the region I do and have the access to the local organic farmers that thrive here in the Pacific Northwest. I also think that the farming industry should get more credit for its profession. Cooking within my family was not always a big presence. I grew up the oldest of three boys in a household with fulltime working parents and dinner somtimes was lookd at as the easier, the cheaper, the better. I like to take those same thoughts, knowing that a lot of parents are both working today, and find ways to get the most out of the food that is prepared. See www.cookthkitchen.com Edjucating myself. I have studied all sorts of different regions around the world in an attempt to undertstand the why's and how's of thier culture as well as thier food. My stragedies are simple. I often think that the preparation of food can be difficult to understand and even frustrating at times. I try to take a simplistic approach whenever possible. I also love creative combinations of flavors, somtimes using no more than 3 or 4 ingredients using the true flavors to thier best ability.