[booguster]

Hi there all,
I am a newbie to the world of cooking professionally. I was diagnosed with cancer this past April, and under went surgery to see if it could be removed. The docs removed 8 inches of my colon and 11 lymph nodes. There was no sign of spreading so I am now cacer free! My little scare really opened my eyes to life. I have been cooking for family and friends for years, and I absolutely love it; and I figured since I have a second chance at life, so to speak, and I wasn't happy teaching, maybe I should go back to school and earn a degree in Culinary Arts. So that's what I did. I begin school in August, and while I am going to school I have landed a job as a Prep Cook for one of the resorts here in Reno to help enhance my schooling/training. I am so very excited and I can't wait to begin school and my new job.
So here I am, saying hello and hoping to learn some interesting things not only from my instructors and bosses, but from you all as well.

Talk to you all soon and happy cooking!

[Mezzaluna]

Welcome to Chef Talk, Booguster! Congratulations on beating back the Big C. (My right kidney was removed in '06, same reason.) I know what you mean about seeking new paths. I had already retired but began to explore other things I'd been too timid to do before. By the way, I was a teacher, too- 30 years, mostly middle school.

Have you decided about what you'd want to focus on? If I had a good back and more stamina, I think I'd do pastry.

I hope you explore the site and participate in the forums when you can. We'll look forward to your posts!

Regards,
Mezzaluna