ABOUT THIS COOK:

I'm Kentucky born, but moved to NY over 20 years ago. I started a rooftop garden business and met Christopher Hirsheimer during a shooting of one of my gardens. She was the food editor of Met Home at the time. I fell in love with her that day. One of my greatest accomplishments was to coax Christopher and her wonderful husband Jim to move next door to my farmhouse on the road. I've enjoyed many, many wonderful meals at the Hirsheimers.

• What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
  brains & eggs

• What do you cook when home alone?
  baked organic chicken

• Your most treasured kitchen possession:
  grandmother's iron skillet

• The ideal number of guests for a dinner party is:
  eight