Let's discuss food and cooking!

Food has always been a love of mine. Some of my fondest memories as a child on the weekends were dining out. We would have dinner out on Saturday nights and breakfast at our favorite pancake house on Sunday mornings. I grew up in Chicago, where there is no shortage of excellent food and restaurants. One of my favorite restaurants and special nights out was a high-end seafood restaurant named Jonathan Livingston Seafood, located in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. I always got excited because I knew I could wear a special dress and shoes for a special night out. The seafood restaurant had a seafood bar that I've never seen in another restaurant. The bar had caviar and many other seafood goodies. I was probably around 10 or 11 years old, and I would make my way to the elegantly presented seafood bar to create a plate of scrumptious delights. The staff and some patrons would comment in amusement about their surprise at the foods I was willing to try.

My love of food, getting dressed up for a special night out at a favorite restaurant, has carried over into my adult life. During my adult life, I've collected many fond memories of dinners out with friends and family. Then, somehow, this evolved into learning to cook special meals for friends at home. Of course, my mother taught me to cook, but honestly, I never really took to cooking until later in life. But once the cooking bug took a bite, I've never looked back. My love of food now involves finding ways to recreate home recipes that are just as special as dining at my favorite restaurants, and creating fabulous dishes that are both beautiful and delicious. The first way you take in a dish is with the eyes, so to plate a dish that makes everyone's eyes widen upon presentation is satisfying. Combine that with the silence as they take their first bites...Complimenti!

I look forward to sharing this love in this blog!

Thank you, and take care

Tracy @ TravelChic340

My Recipe Library