For the love of food
Early years
I had an interest in cooking at an early age, even if it was just licking the bowl. I grew up in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood of Indianapolis. I had the best cooks in the world making the best meals in the world for me. I had my grandmother and both my parents. Eating out wasn’t affordable for the whole family, so we eat most meals at home.Mom was able to make the most ordinary dishes into meals I make today for comfort food,tuna fish casserole, split-pea soup, liver and onions, and birds eyes eggs. My Dad had his chili and coleslaw, Of course,both my grandmothers could make an entire Thanksgiving dinner and desserts singlehandedly.
Pâtissier
I was always helping Mom in the kitchen, mostly so I could lick the spoon of course.
School Cafateria
I think my Dad's influence in the kitchen helped me get over the idea that cooking was for "girls". He didn’t cook as much as my Mom, but he had his Daddy specials and I loved them. Chili and Eggs benedict, WOW! Back then, he was very particular about the process of cooking. He would whisk that benedict constantly, for what seemed like forever, to get that silky smooth sauce. My favorite was the Chili tradition of “tasting the meat” right after browning, again, after simmering it with all the spices. He would call me in from playing and we each had a spoon to try it. My Mom on the other hand would go in the kitchen and twenty minutes later come out with a complete meal that tasted amazing. Later I found out that she hated cooking and just wanted to get out of the kitchen. It didn’t matter she has the gift.
I destroyed my homemade biscuits and gravy in middle school so as I grew older my interest in food and cooking dwindled. I was more interested in hanging with friends, getting a slice of greasy cheese pizza at Pasquales, and saving as much money as possible so I could play Defender.
Mess Hall
After High school I joined the Army and then it was MREs and the mess hall for 4 years. The mess hall wasn't that bad,however,during my last year in I was starting to get a craving to create my own meals. If only to have something other than red beans and rice and SOS.
I started by getting into mixed drinks and even built a bar in my barracks room and charged for drinks. I had a nice little business and made enough money to buy even more liquor!
For the last two years of my enlistment I was stationed in Germany. As long as you leave post, you can be exposed to all kinds of ethnic foods,not just German. I tasted really good Greek, Chinese, Irish, English and Turkish at the joints around our post. I’d go to the clubs where much of my money was spent eating really good food.
The Tiny Kitchen
I have been cooking for myself and the enjoyment of others since I got out of the Army.
In 2010 I wanted to build a practice website to learn web building and chose food as the topic. I learned how to build websites, got to cook and create, and take pictures. All things I love! It wasn't long before people were asking me to give them the recipe for that dip, or how did I make the ribs?!?!? I would tell them, "Sure, it's on my site!"