My mom took a part time job when I was in high school I was responsible for dinner on the nights she worked. Then in the summers, I would cook supper for Dad and a friend after their Thursday golf game, got to be as creative as I wanted. I watched lots of Julia Child and the Galloping Gourmet.
Then, during a summer after my freshman year of college, I cooked for a custom threshing (wheat) crew. I did that for about a month, breakfast (hot and cold, and dessert), dinner (noon) out in the field (casserole, bread, dessert), lunch (4-ish) out in the field (sandwiches, dessert), and supper (10-ish, when they came in from the field, meat potatoes, vegetable, dessert). I cooked in a travel trailer with no airconditioning. And the boss man (who owned it all, and would occasionally show up) wanted home made bread. At least he was O.K. with frozen dough. There were 11 boys on the crew, average age was 16, and that was only because the foreman's age of 19 skewed the number higher. yep. With brand-new, state of the art John Deere combines.
Then back to college, music, married, teaching, children, music, more college, teaching....... quit teaching, music.....
Then, during our first year of "empty nest," I moved 2 hours away to live on a college campus and did 2 semesters of cooking school.
I already have a masters degree, and didn't need more degrees, so didn't finish out a certificate. I couldn't stand the instructors, and after working in a restaurant during first semester as a prep cook, and pantry, I ruined my feet and realized I'm not going to do restaurant work. and I missed my husband!!!
Now, I teach adult education at our local community college, doing classes that combine music and cooking. I match the food with the musical theme. I give a music appreciation lecture while demonstrating and weaving in appropriate cooking techniques. They've started scheduling two sections, so I see a total of 40 adult students (20 in ea class). Each class meets 3 or 4 times (4 in the Oct. class, 3 in the Nov. class).
I cook for family and friends.
I also love cookbooks. I have quite a few, love the old ones, especially when former owners have written in the margins! Love the old church ones, too, when everyone was Mrs. His Name.
I have lots of success, as well as plenty of flops! I, too like to play and experiment with food.
Oh yeah, 2 of the 3 kids are back in the house, at least they are in college. Son will be leaving this week for his school a little over 2 hours away.