Week 1

Well, my name is Aila DeVowe and I am a 25 year old, bedraggled and occasionally befuddled student. I live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and relocated from the great state of Michigan. I have a 18 month old son, a 33 year old boyfriend, and am attending the Art Institute of Philadelphia for a degree in the Culinary Arts. So far, so good, and I have recently started my second quarter (of six).

Gastronomically speaking there is no shortage of inspiration, whether it be from the web, from your local farmers market, or other cookbooks or magazines. One of my personal favorite websites is www.smittenkitchen.com and I will leave you with a picture of Deb's braised beef short ribs. This is the perfect meal for a cold winter day, and if it doesn't warm you up, then I don't know what will.