My 100th Post! Dedicated to my Inspirations

I think there are two kinds of people in this world, those who consider food an experience to be relished and enjoyed, and those who consider food to be fuel. You don't have to guess that I fall into the first category. Food isn't just a passion for me. It's a way of life. I live to cook, share, and eat. I have had some really interesting experiences in my life not related to food, and I still always found myself planning lunch or dinner in my head. I've briefed governors and members of Congress from a note pad scrawled with recipe ideas. I've tuned out of meetings to plan my next dinner party. My shelves have as many cookbooks as they do law school textbooks (my formal training is more legal than culinary).

As I pondered writing my 100th post on In Good Taste (formerly known as All in Good Taste), I decided to honor my inspirations. That is to say, I wanted to answer the question, "Why am I so obsessed with food?"

We all have to eat. It's not optional. Along with death and taxes, we have to nourish our bodies. I was brought up to believe, if you've got to do something, you may as well do it as well as you know how. That's how I approach the kitchen. I want to make everything special. Even a simple grilled cheese needs to be something to write home about -- not because I'm a food snob (which, in many ways, I am), but because someone I love is going to eat it. After months and years of dinner parties and take-out pizza, I've determined that I feel the way I do about food because it's an intimate experience among friends.

My friends are my inspiration. I moved to Washington, DC nearly five years ago knowing very few people and with no family close by at all. I have built a family here. I learned how to cook from my late mother in the same way I learned how to love from her. You make sure the people you love know you love them -- and there's no better way to show someone you love them than to nourish their bodies with wonderful food. There is no more generous gift than a meal that you create out of affection for your guests. You know what they like and don't like and carefully craft everything according to what you know everyone will enjoy.

Because I love my friends so much, I want to cook well. While a certain part of the art of cooking is talent, I like to think that what drives me is how wonderful my friends are. Even when I'm cooking for people with whom I am not personally close, I like to do my best because of my belief that food is an experience to be savored. It's not like filling your car up with gas -- it's a much more involved relationship. The right ingredients and the right people make every recipe no fail. Even if you burn the bread or overcook the steak, you and your friends can still enjoy each others company and have a good laugh about it.

I raise my glass to the memory of my Mother, Denise, and the many memories made with my loving friends in Charleston, Washington, and throughout the world. I love you all. I hope you're very hungry, because I look forward to making many more memories with you in the years (and posts) to come. Keep cooking!