The Night It All Began...

This culinary journey of mine has been pretty extraordinary. Looking back on all the events leading up to where I am now is just awesome and you've been by my side from the very beginning. I remember opening Jewels' and Jill's cookbook on Christmas morning and reading your 'dare to dream' inscription and just knowing that one day I had to do something with food. I had no idea then that I'd continue on the path to meet Cesare, spend time with him in Sicily and ultimately end up quitting my job to pursue this dream. Dare to do so, indeed!

I consider the evening we met Cesare to really be when everything began for me. Your gift of the culinary event tickets might have been the most exciting, amazing gift you've ever given me or us, really. I think that night both formed and solidified a bond between us and that's hugely significant and so precious. I've tried many times to re-cap that evening and it's just too difficult to do so. I want you to always know that the experience for me is cherished and something I'll never, ever forget:

"Hey, I'm Michael.":

It's just so exciting being part of the kyoolinary world:

Wowza:

I will love this forever:

Who can ever forget the very best part of the night...our personal invite to lunch the following day:

I tell you what, the way life happens is quite mysterious and unexpected. Learning to live in the moment and embrace giving up your control can so often yield the most wonderful results, no matter how foreign or uncomfortable that might feel. I'm so thrilled to have shared in such a tremendous event with you, Allison. Both that evening and our lunch has a definite spot on the top ten list, that's for sure...