I have cooked in a University cafeteria/private dining room kitchen, a diner (no drive-ins or dives
), several restaurants and a summer camp cooking for special diets (average 30 people with different needs per day). I was also a technical writer and web developer. After 10 years owning a web business we sold it and at 46 I went to culinary school. I then apprenticed in a catering company and opened my own.
But my arthritis made me give it up and I went back to my favourite passion, baking and decorating cakes. I had done it since I was about 12 and am pretty well self taught. I am also teaching some young people the trade which is almost better than doing it myself.
As for the baking part, I have always had a knack for it, tweeking recipes, combining flavours. I learned so much at school even though I didn't end up taking the pastry course. Instead I hung out in the pastry kitchen any spare moment I had, watching, listening and going home to practice!
But I am really happy just cooking for my dh and I and that keeps me busy because besides celiac he has several food intolerances such as egg, soy and dairy!