Man, I love the appreciation! A dear friend recently suggested that I look into competing on Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen or the 'kinder and gentler', Master Chef. In years past, friends have also suggested Rachel's Hey, can you cook? and other such competitions... I watch them all, but... NOT this gal!! No, I'm no fool around a kitchen and I can cook with the best of them. I KNOW I can get the job done. I've catered weddings, surprise parties... I like to think I have a gift for picking out a better than average recipe, and have been more than a little successful in tweaking... Whether it's to fit my current pantry, or to add a flavor element that I 'just know' would work well, I do a lot of experimentation. And I do it WITHOUT FEAR THAT'S what makes me special. So many are afraid to do anything new. I've tried to take you on that journey with me - that's kind of the purpose of this site! And as you keep on coming back, I guess I've had some success? I don't have the stamina to run around with the nonsense that is on so many of these shows. I don't have the memory to make something I've made before without at least some guidelines... Improv is easy with a proven recipe – but I, for one, need that base. As do most of us. There is no official 'chef' on this site – just someone with a true appreciation of making the best with what you know and have. Always being ready to learn something new doesn't hurt, either. I merely love cooking. Hope you do, too!