Greetings and Salutations from Not-So-Sunny Southern California...

[RouxTheDay]

Hello ChefTalkers! I just stumbled onto this site today. I'm actually very surprised it never hit my radar before, as I spend a good bit of time on several other food boards, and I spend LOTS of time searching the Internet for cooking tips, recipes, etc. Go figure.

I'm presently a homemaker masquerading as a research analyst in my "spare" time. (Whatever the heck THAT is!) I share with my second (and final) husband three girls, three boys (two grown, the rest teens), and a daughter-in-law. Some are his, some are mine, all are ours. Three of them live with us. We also have three grandsons.

I was born and raised in Southern California, while hubby originally hails from Tennessee. My grandfather was from Louisiana, and a lot of that Southern thing rubbed off onto me. I can run in the most sophisticated of city circles, but I'm a country girl at heart. We spend a lot of time in the South, and plan to live out our days there as *gentlemen* farmers, once the last of the teenagers is off to university.

Anyway. Lately, I've been fortunate enough to have the time and resources to begin rediscovering the joyful aspects of cooking that one tends to miss when working full time, commuting, raising children, etc.

My earliest experience with cooking was at age 5, when I insisted on "making" soup for Mommee who was recovering from popping out my 10# brother. (She's only 5'1" so that was a bit trying.) Of course, the soup was Campbell's (probably alphabet or bean with bacon), and I was convinced that adding water, turning on the burner, and stirring until hot, meant that I now "knew how to cook".

I've been at it ever since. By age 10, I was "starting dinner" after school for my dual-career parents (preheat oven, S&P roast, stick in oven, leave the rest for Mommee). I progressed to making the entire dinner, and by age 14 had graduated to a two-year-long baking obsession. Fortunately, Daddee loves to cook, and does it quite well. Bless his heart for indulging my momentary passion, driving me to the restaurant supply district in downtown LA, and buying untold quantities of pans, pastry bags, and who knows what all.

Having always said (and believed) that "I love to cook," it was a shocking revelation to me when I recently realized that this statement is largely inaccurate. I don't love cooking. In fact, I often despise it. It's very much a love/hate relationship. I'll try to explain...

Several months ago, I was having one of those days when I was procrastinating, whining and rationalizing, and just generally trying to find any way to get out of making dinner. I mentally chewed on this for days, trying to figure out what my problem was. It finally dawned on me that I cook for many reasons, but seldom for the joy of the cooking itself.

I come from a love 'em with food family, where all things fun and happy involve the eating of good food. My mother is a somewhat picky eater, and doesn't much enjoy cooking. But she does it well, and I always understood that it was something she did because she loves us. And that is my primary motivation. Food = Love. I cook to shower people with calorie-laden, palate-pleasing, tummy-filling LOVE.

Secondary is my adoration of all things food. Eating it, reading about it, looking at it... Whatever. But I only adore Good Food. Hubby and I are recreational eaters, visiting Michelin-starred restaurants all over the world, as well as eating off street carts in developing countries. Eating is our reason for travelling, and is the trigger for virtually every memory of every place we've ever visited. So, wanting to eat well requires that SOMEBODY in the house be able to cook well. I am that somebody.

Finally, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and have been accused of being anal-retentive. Therefore, I continue to strive to perfect my cooking. It's a passion. And that's what led me to this site. I'm trying to find the joy that lies in the process, and I've found it helpful and encouraging to interact with others who love cooking (even if the communication is only virtual).

Looking forward to getting to know and learn from you.

[Mezzaluna]

Based on your wonderful bio, RouxTheDay, I can say with certainty that you have found your culinary on-line home! (Love that name, by the way.) I describe myself as going through life mouth-first, and you sound like a kindred spirit. Your spouse does not resemble mine in that respect, however, so I envy you that. I totally get the love = food thing, too. I'd rather cook a dinner party for 12 than put a week's worth of dinners for two on the table.

We hope you make yourself comfortable here and dive into the savory soup of Chef Talk discussions. Let us know if we can answer any questions about the board. You won't want to miss the cooking articles, cookbook reviews, recipes or the photo gallery. There's enough here to keep you busy without reading the forums! But we hope you do participate there often.

Welcome!
Mezzaluna

[KatyasLime]

Originally Posted by RouxTheDay

Finally, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and have been accused of being anal-retentive. Therefore, I continue to strive to perfect my cooking. It's a passion.

Adopt me!!!

[RouxTheDay]

Originally Posted by KatyasLime

Adopt me!!!

Because you ARE a perfectionist? Or because you WANT to be a perfectionist?