As a youngster I was always interested in all things food, whether it was perusing Mom's Better Homes & Garden Cookbook, climbing on the counters to reach the pots & pan when I was small, or my early days of doctoring up Chef Boyardee pizza mixes.  By the time I was 10 years old I was in charge of manning the family backyard grill.  

My mother was a wonderful cook; her fried chicken was stuff of legend in my hometown.  She was the first to teach me kitchen basics and technique.  My father also knew his way around the kitchen and took great pride in the fact all of his sons can cook.  While I was in high school I worked in the kitchen of my father's restaurant, where his head chef first taught me the art of professional cooking.  During college this skill proved to be invaluable as I was always able to find restaurant work and, although a student I wasn't starving. 

During my bachelor years I quickly realized the quickest way to a woman's heart is through the stomach too, a man who knows his way around the kitchen is very sexy indeed.  I concocted this "Ghetto Gourmet" character, a guy who'd keep you in stitches as he bragged about creating gourmet meals on the cheap.  I did however, live that "Ghetto Gourmet" lifestyle and would, and still do, frequent stores such as the Grocery Outlets, .99 Cent Stores, and have been a fixture at the Farmer's Market for about 25 years.  You may see me there on any given sunday.      

No longer single, my handle was changed to "Bistro Den" (thanks Mireya).  But that Ghetto Gourmet is still in there somewhere.  Yea, for me a relaxing afternoon is spent playing with food, creating new and exciting dishes.  That is my hobby, that is one of my passions.  I hope you can join us on the 14th of December, take me on a test ride.