Were you lucky enough to spend some time in a haven growing up? I had a few years at one.  Rememberance of the aroma that seemed to permeate everything inside sticks with me even today. Walking in the door there was a hint of something comforting. There did not even have to be anything cooking.  That house kept the smell of happiness and the people in it were so amazing.  There was so much love when that door opened it seemed to spill outside. 

 

This house for me was my Grandparents house.  The association of food and love became my passion as I grew up there.   I live to love and love to cook.  Little had I known how much experience I had gained from the innumerable meals and creations I made with my Grandma and her faithful assistant, Grandpa.  I had no idea that I was  being mentored along the way.  I got such excitement out of cooking and it was never like work.   The thing I loved most about being in the kitchen was the quick satisfaction from a good dish.  When something is good it's like you just do not want the last bite to come.  

 

The best thing though was having friends over.  It was great to enjoy something nice but so much better to share with someone.  Their joy was my joy.  Rarely but sometimes, guests did not care for a specific flavor or dish. These were always my favorite moments.  I used them to learn about the likes and tastes others enjoyed or did not enjoy.  A critic is a cooks best friend.  This is a hard lesson for some. 

 

A life of cooking is full of lessons from rewarding to epic failures. Either way passion about the hobby will press you on and help you continue to create new flavors and and combinations. 

 

Besides cooking, I am highly competitive, very motivated and would much rather laugh my way through a bad day than bask in the pity of it. 

 

Cricket Manjarrez