So, what are you doing now?

For all of those that have no idea who I am, your life is about to change. To those that do, celebrate! I am a great person to know. Seriously.

Just a year ago, I was praying for my taste buds and feeling burnt. I had just completed months of cancer treatments and I was simply trying to pick up the pieces of my life after losing my identity as a business owner, energetic, healthy young woman. What now? Well, it took several months for me to feel human and once I did I just started to cook! Food was tasting less and less like copper, my dizziness had subsided and I was able to go several days at a time without feeling nauseous.

As soon as I started to feel more like myself, I just kept cooking. I started with the basics; pie crust, cookies, soups, sauces and gradually began to tackle breads which had once been easier. Right out of culinary school, I was constantly practicing what I had learned and had several jobs that required me to cook on a regular basis. But once I started in the management field, I was required to cook less and less and simply did not have the time to do what I loved most. We all know that what you don't use, you lose. This is unfortunate and devastatingly correct. Don't get me wrong, I was still cooking for myself, family and friends every chance I got, but it was not nearly enough and certain things were not as effortless and natural as they had once been.

After opening Brew Awakenings, I was even more limited as a chef. I didn't have the time, equipment or money to do everything I wanted. I made some great soups, pasta dishes, salads, cakes and brag-worthy rice crispy treats, but it was simply not a testament to my full potential as a chef. Strangely, cancer afforded me the ability to start over. So that is what I am doing now. I am beginning again. My hope is to make a name for myself beyond the Atlanta city limits, finish my cookbook and introduce readers to some great music and food along the way. It would also be pretty awesome if you laughed every now and then.

NOW PLAYING: Dale Earnhardt Jr.Jr.- "Nothing But Our Love" by ModernMystery3