Born and raised in a military family, I grew up all over the world. Having the opportunities to try new things along the way. I grew up, the oldest of four, being in a military family, I was home most of the time with my siblings when my parents worked. I spent a lot of nights preparing dinner for the family. I used what I could find in the fridge and cabinets and at times I challenged myself by placing ingredients on the counter that you would never think to put in a dish, and I made something out of it, something delicious. I have had a passion for cooking since I was incredibly young and began officially cooking before the age of 12. I was self-taught, until deciding to go to culinary arts school to learn what I had not already taught myself. I attended Le Cordon Bleu, College of Culinary Arts, USA. Going to culinary school was so intriguing, I learned so many things, tried things I never thought I would, and I was challenged in ways that I had not challenged myself before. I fell deeper in love with creating food. In my free time, outside of baking and cooking three plus meals a day, among other things for family, friends, teachers, neighbors and even strangers, I spent a lot of time doing art. Not only is the art of baking and cooking a passion of mine, but I love all forms of the arts. I love to create with my hands, using my creativity and putting my heart into it all. I love to sketch, paint, create digital art or combine a mixture of techniques, like using charcoal and watercolors...etc. I love the idea of presenting something beautiful. Not just on a plate but also on a canvas. I love to create and share everything I make with anyone and everyone. It fills my heart to be able to create, then to share with people. I love to challenge myself in every way possible and learn everything that I can from every experience. When the idea of creating this cookbook was whisking around in my creative mind, the inspiration was to use my plate as my canvas. A blank canvas, something to challenge me. The idea of creating something different and beautiful, out of nothing, is my inspiration for creating. Once created, sharing it with everyone around is what keeps me creating more.
