My mother is a plain cook, and a gifted baker. My big cooking influences ended up being various flatmates... the Russian Jewish girl who was the very best cook I've ever known taught me everything from a proper chicken soup (start with whole chicken) to Italian yummies, zabaglione, baked beef heart with prunes and vegetables, and general kitchen skills .... the Burmese girl who taught me yummy sweet burmese curry noodle dishes with coconut milk and how to make carrot fudge .... the Dutch kids who taught me basic Indonesian style curries and a frightening dish consisting of potatoes, sausage coil and kale boiled in one pot....

With that base, I learned to cook other great ethnic dishes pretty easily. I love cooking.