About Me

My name is Mike and even though I’m not always a gentleman, it’s safe to say I’ve always been in love with food. Like my more famous namesake, the kid on the cereal commercial from the early 80’s, I’ve always had an ability to eat just about anything and “like it.”

Mikie likes it

I’ve become a tad more discerning since my toddler phase: I prefer Pinot Noir to the customary Shiraz my parents liked, I no longer eat parmesan cheese sprinkled from a container, and can pick out which ingredients I like or don’t in a recipe by smell alone. I blame my Lebanese heritage, my large Lebanese nose (all the better for smelling with) and exposure over the past few years to some exquisite ethnic cooking styles and cuisine, as well as to some stunning, inspiring cooks who are family or friends.

I’ve included a lot of their favourite recipes on this site, as well as a few of my own that have become my staples over the years. I’ve also been lucky enough to see other parts of the world (though I’m always eyeing up the atlas to see more) and have tried to share some of my experiences with the different cultures and local food that have enriched me and given me the urge to keep trying new things, whether in the kitchen or in life.

Outside of the kitchen I am a mediocre marathon runner, enjoy playing guitar and listening to the Goldberg Variations, gardening, yoga, travelling, anything sci-fi, and if the weather ever stays nice long enough I hope to finish up my pilot’s license. I spend most of my time at work or in the kitchen and when not in the kitchen I am undoubtedly thinking about my next meal. I am also a fiend for peanut butter and slather it on everything.

Bon Appetit!

Mike

If you bake bread with indifference

you bake a bitter bread that

feeds but half man’s hunger.

– Kahlil Gibran