Joan Ryan began her formal chef training at age seven cooking omelets in the kitchen of their family home in Chicago. She continued her apprenticeship through her teenage years when she learned to bake Christmas cookies, Chicken Kiev, pasta, crepes, and fondue. She religiously watched Julia Child on PBS, then graduated to the food network and is a big fan of Top Chef, which has expanded her culinary repertoire. Joan's passion for cooking stems from her love of eating and entertaining friends and family. Many of the recipes in this cookbook were first tasted by Joan at the homes of her family...