By Alyssa Bradley

For as long as I can remember I have always been fascinated with cooking. When we went to restaurants I did want the chicken fingers I wanted to try my dad’s steak, or my mom’s lobster. While other kids were watching Nickelodeon I was home watching Sara Moulton or Emeril Lagasse work wonders in the kitchen.

The culinary industry is more popular today then it ever has been. There are many shows and movies that promote the restaurant industry. There is an entire network called Food Network which is devoted to cooking and teaches people how to cook in their own homes. Another promotion are the reality shows. Some examples of these shows are, Top Chef and Hells Kitchen starring celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsey. Last fall Katherine Zeta-Jones stared in the romantic comedy No Reservation, the story line being about a chef.

Cooking is important to me because it allows me to express my self. If it’s a cold winters night and you  miss summer a way to take you to that time would be making delicious meal. I love seeing the expressions on my family’s face after they had just eaten a dinner of mine. To me I know that I made them happy just by paring certain foods together. One of my personal favorites to make when we have large family gatherings in Penne Vodka.

           The chefs that I have worked for in the past have done a lot for me and I really appreciate all of the knowledge that they have given me and all of the patients they have had while I explore the world of food!!