I grew up in Southeast, Washington, DC. as an only child in a single-parent household. As an only child, I’ve always had a compassion to help others. Having such compassion led me to a career in law enforcement—a career that lasted thirty years! However, I had a much deeper and stronger connection with food. My desire to cook was out-of-this-world. Oddly enough, I never went to culinary school. I’d watch my grandmother prepare feasts for the family every Sunday like it was Thanksgiving. She’d teach me how to add just the right amount of seasonings, what temperature I should set in the oven, and even how long I should stir the sauce. This only enhanced my desire to cook. It was relaxing for me. The kitchen was my “happy place.”
While I learned the basics from my grandmother, I did pick up a few helpful tips when I was in high school. I attended Theodore Roosevelt High School. Back then, the school had a career and trade program and one on travel and tourism–hotel and restaurant management. I studied this from tenth to twelfth grade. But after graduating, I went straight into the police cadet program. Now retired, I’m right back to what I enjoy most—cooking! Don’t get me wrong. I’ve definitely enjoyed my career in law enforcement and being able to help others, but my heart has always been in the kitchen. I’ve always thought that food was comforting to the soul and that food brings people closer together. By sharing a few recipes, I can help do just that. Now let’s be clear, if you are looking for a five-star cuisine and an eight-course meal, then you have stumbled upon the wrong cookbook ’cause I ain’t got it, lol! Remember earlier when I said I never went to culinary school? Oh, OK. Just a friendly reminder.
Seriously, I want people to experience what I experienced with my grandmother: to be able to cook from the heart and the depths of your soul and enjoy it!
