21430940 1af76997e849b1866d346e7fc5a3efae iliketocookthings http://gravatar.com/iliketocookthings iliketocookthings http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/1af76997e849b1866d346e7fc5a3efae http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/1af76997e849b1866d346e7fc5a3efae thumbnail Amber Young Amber Young iliketocookthings I was born and raised in West Michigan in a small suburban/farming community called Lowell. I grew up cooking. My family has always been centered around the kitchen. Growing up I tended to cook a lot of Italian-American food, seeing as how I am a whopping 25% Sicilian. When I got into high school I got really into Asian cuisine. I went to college at Central Michigan University, and quickly became homesick and insecure about my areas of study (Spanish and Art). I decided to return to the motherland and begin Culinary School after 2.5 years of moderate success in traditional college. Culinary school was a fun experience, and I learned a lot, but I didn't really fit the profile of my fellow classmates. When finished, I moved to Chicago to explore carreer options. My first place of employment outside of Michigan was Green Zebra, where I learned a lot, but quickly learned that I wasn't cut out for the cooks lifestyle. I stuck it out though, and continued working at both of Shawn McClain's restaurants, for about a year and a half. I now work for Whole Foods, and while it is a corporate environment, three of the biggest perks are access to ingredients, the employee discount, and the 8 hour days that allow me time to do what I really want. I am most happy when cooking in my own kitchen for people that I love. These days my main focus is Mexican flavors, either traditional or modern takes. I don't limit myself fully to Mexican cuisine, but I am most happy with a handful of chiles and cilantro. I live in Ukranian Village, Chicago with my boyfriend Emmanuel, my official, though biased, taste-tester. Chicago, IL