About 18 years ago, I had an early sort of mid-life crisis and decided I would quit a managerial position at a large advertising agency in pursuit of a culinary degree.  I survived the professional certificate program at the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago (now a division of Cordon Bleu). The years that followed included jobs in catering, working as a personal chef, teaching, writing, restaurant and wine shop gigs.  And most importantly, becoming a mom.

As life has a way of coming full circle, I am now back to working a part-time administrative job at a local hospital, managing schedules for a very busy family, and serving on the board of the Theatre of Western Springs.  Cooking and entertaining continue to be a significant part of my life and last year I was able to officially launch a food blog online: Dinner Is Served.  I am looking forward to sharing my blog with Patch readers!