Welcome. Let the cooking begin!

I decided to finally make the leap into the world of blogging. Honestly, I feel a little behind. I mean, there have been official food blogging awards since 2006, and probably even before that. Anyhow, I have a lot of catching up to do! I might as well get started...

A little bit about myself: I have been cooking since I was about 10 years old. My earliest memories of working in the kitchen have to be from the weekends I would spend at my grandparents learning how to make Hungarian dishes such as goulash, wiener schnitzel, spaetzle, and crepes. Even at such a young age, I knew for me there was something comforting about spending time learning, feeling and tasting all the aspects of food. After I knew how to pound out veal, peel potatoes, and shape hush puppies, it was all downhill from there and I haven't stopped yet. It's funny how our young imagination can sometimes predict what our true passions are in life. Also in my younger years I fondly remember writing up menu's on our first home computer (75 lb. IBM desktop operating in DOS) and presenting them to my dad for his late morning breakfasts. I think he was impressed with my 3 egg American cheese omelet with Brown 'n Serve sausage.

It wasn't until I started working for Williams-Sonoma that all the technical and sophisticated aspects of the culinary world were really introduced to me. Before that, I was like anyone else who didn't know the difference between a Sunbeam Mixmaster and a KitchenAid. Ha, now I just sound like an equipment snob. No seriously though, it has allowed me a front-row seat at the showdown that has taken over the culinary world. From the overwhelming popularity of the Food Network paired with a forced knowledge onto society that what we eat truly makes us who we are, never before has there been such an obvious unveiling into the universe that chefs and food connoisseurs proudly kept within their own circles.

Overall, I love to create and indulge. What better venue would allow me to put these passions to task then to cook great food. I hope to have some pictures of my latest dishes posted soon, as well as tried-and-true "Amanda" recipes along with new and improved ideas and recipes. Stay tuned for more!