ABOUT THIS COOK:

I'm an avid Iron Chef watcher, cookbook enthusiast and dedicated cook. So is my partner, and when we have dinner parties we go completely insane. Our dinners involve lots of wine and lots of vegetarian fare. My favorite cuisine is Mexican, and anything bordering the Mediterranean Sea is tied for second. I just started a blog called Lunchimal! It's all about making lunch for $5 or less from organic, sustainable, local ingredients. Check it out! http://lunchimal.blogspot.com/

• What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
  Monkfish liver pate

• What do you cook when home alone?
  fried rice

• Your most treasured kitchen possession:
  my potato ricer. begone, lumpy mashed potatoes!

• The ideal number of guests for a dinner party is:
  6