I am a professional cook and chef with a culinary school education and a BA in Political Science. I value my education, but enjoy cooking for a living. I have strong family ties. I am proud of my accomplishments - both academically and professionally and am ambitious for more in both those areas. I love to travel - been to a few places but definitely intend to go to more.

I just started a small business. Which, it turns out, is a lot of work.

Cooking. Like, professionally. I guess I'm a small business owner too, still sounds weird though. And trying to meet some people. Hence the OkCupid profile thing.

Cooking. And other things.

Sometimes a Great Notion. Catch 22. A Hundred Years of Solitude. Confederacy of Dunces. Kitchen Confidential. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Just read the Game of Thrones series. They are good. And many more...I like books.

Black Keys. Big Pearl Jam fan. Similar alternative music. Miike Snow. And classic rock - Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Stones. Radiohead. Some hip hop.

I frequently crave sushi. Good sushi. I like cooking/eating french food. All types are welcome though. I have a weakness, as many native Seattleites do, for cheap teriyaki. I need my Vietnamese food fix pretty frequently too, either Than Bros for Pho or Green Leaf. I love Middle Eastern food but after spending considerable time in the ME I have become a little picky... I love eating out, I kind of consider it professional development. And cooking at home.

Restaurants: I have a couple favorite sushi spots, walrus and carpenter, revel, art of the table, and some other ones. Just ask!

Good food
Exercise/the gym
The internet/iPhone
Good books
Friends and family
My career/job
learning, especially from experiences
Travel
A sharp knife
Salt and pepper

That's 10.

Where I will be in five years. Tough question. I go through stretches of really wanting to open my own restaurant. Or other ways to make money in the culinary industry - I have a few ideas up my sleeve...I've decided to work on one in particular at the moment.

On a completely different note, should I go back to school? For a minute (not a literal one, more like a few months) I was about to do the law school thing. Started studying for the LSAT, registered, blah blah. I think, despite what most of my friends who have been through it say, I would enjoy it.

Also, when I can start my (next) trip through one or all of: Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, China, or the Middle East (again).

Also also, why are there so many vegetarians on OkC?

Sometimes working. If not, probably hanging out with friends or cooking dinner, also with friends.

I don't hold much back, just ask.

I secretly really like Pretty Woman. In a manly way of course.

I'm not very good at filling these things out - message if you want to know more!