I grew up in South Florida and from the time I could walk I enjoyed fishing and vacationing with family. I later became more interested in saltwater fishing in my teens when my dad and I began taking fishing trips every weekend. Later I began fishing competitively with friends which I still enjoy. I really liked the fact that we always prepared our catch after each fishing day and invited the families of those who participated. We always have and continue to prepare a huge fish cookout which includes great stories, friends, food, and cocktails. In my college years I began cooking on my own grilling seafood which includes swordfish, tuna, mahi, wahoo, and snook. I later began blackening grouper and amberjack for sandwiches while at FSU. It was here that I also began experimenting with comfort foods such as stuffed cabbage and peppers, casseroles, soups, and traditional holiday dishes. I also threw in a few dips and finger foods at the Seminole tailgates. I would often watch food network and began making sauces that included everything from a basic pasta sauce to cream sauces and glazes. In my early post college years I was grilling chops, ribs, chicken, and steaks along with preparing my own marinades. It was at least twice a week we would have a huge outdoor feasts cooking for up to 20. In 2008 I moved to Duluth, Ga. which was a different cultural change than I was expecting. It is here that we have a huge Asian population and I began duplicating dishes we would have dining out in this large Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese community. This includes Vietnamese Pho, Korean BBQ, and rolling my own sushi. Creating these items using the highest quality of ingredients was only possible due to the large International food markets such as Super H Mart, Assi, and farmers markets. I also purchased a smoker a few years back and began making brines and smoking Boston Butts, Turkeys, Chickens, and Kingfish. I believe that a great home chef is one who is always evolving by utilizing a variety of cultural experiences. I know that as the years go by I will be sharing more new and exciting recipes as I evolve into a better home chef. Enjoy and thanks for visiting my food blog.