Cooking Influences

Although my mom always had dinner on the table for my brother and I, she saw cooking as a chore and not a craft. So, I never learned to cook until I was out on my own, and my cooking influences began with chefs on TV. My current favorites are Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri.

Closer to home... I've taken several cooking classes from chef Peggi Ryan who used to own Va Pensiero in Evanston, IL. She taught me the very fundamental but effective principle of using enough salt and pepper in my recipes.

I've also been greatly influenced by friends in Provence who shop for fresh ingredients at the local markets every couple of days and cook everything from scratch. I've been told that I grocery shop more like a European than an American.