I am a day trader, and I cook to relieve stress. My love for food and cooking...

...is inspired by my childhood experience growing up on a farm and watching my grandparents make Chinese and Japanese food from scratch using the freshest ingredients. However, my journey as a foodie really began after I met my future grandmother-in-law, a passionate Greek lady who has immeasurable skill, talent, creativity, and knowledge for food.

How long have you been a Daring Baker/Daring Cook and what’s your favorite thing about being in the group(s) so far?

I have been a Daring Cook for 4 months now. The group challenges me to cook outside my comfort zone and each challenge has been very educational.

What’s your favorite kitchen gadget? How about your favorite kitchen appliance?

My favorite kitchen gadget is my garlic press. And my favorite kitchen appliance is my rice cooker, which cooks more than just rice.

Are you known for making a certain dish or dessert? If so, what is it?

I am known for my creative hypoallergic dishes that are egg free, dairy free, and often gluten free. The most popular dish is my low-cal hypoallergic Boeuf a La Bourguignon.

Is there any recipe and/or technique that we haven’t covered yet that you’d really like to make/learn?

I would really love venture into molecular gastronomy and play with ingredients such as agar agar or Xanthan gum.

Do you have a favorite movie? Book? Genre of music? Actor? Actress?

I have rather a morbid taste in movies and books. The Game of Throne series by George R Martin are my absolute favourite. These books are also filled with interesting creations of food and beverages.

You’ve just won $5000.00!!! What would you spend it on?

Unfortunately, $5000 isn’t much money in Vancouver. I would spend in on a trip to New York and try out a few Michelin 3 star restaurants.

What is the ultimate comfort food to you?

My mother’s sesame chicken soup: chicken sauté with aged ginger, garlic and black sesame oil, and then stir in rice wine. This is the ultimate chicken soup, especially on a cold rainy day.

Which season (Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall) is your favorite.. why?

Winter is my favourite season. Winter builds character and accentuates the coziness of home and home cooking.

Other than cooking and/or baking.. what hobbies do you enjoy?

I am an avid video game player. I love games such as Team Fortress, World of Warcraft, and even facebook games such as Restaurant City.

How long have you been blogging? Do you like it? What’s your favorite post you’ve written?

I have been blogging since November 2009. Blogging helps me remember things and motivate me to learn more. My favourite post is Tokushima Part 4. It is my foodie version of Alice Wonderland.

What’s your favorite cookbook for desserts/baking? What’s your favorite cookbook for savory/cooking?

My favourite cookbook is The Bread Science by Emily Buehler. Instead of listing recipes after recipes, the books discuss bread making on the molecular level and teaches you how to create your own bread recipes.

Is there one food that you seriously dislike/hate? If so, which is it and why?

Celery. I find smell of celery pungent and repulsive. I am not sure why.

What’s your favorite flower and/or plant?

It seems that I have the touch of death on plants. Even a cactus can die under my care. Dandelion is my flavor plant. It is delicious and hard to kill.

Do you have a favorite local restaurant? If so, why is it your favorite and what kind of food is served there?

Gu, a Chinese restaurant in Richmond, makes everything from scratch and their little dragon buns are absolutely godly.

Who taught you how to cook and/or bake?

I have a lot of love and support from people around me in my journey as a foodie. I took cooking classes at Dirty Apron, my future grandmother-in-law gave me a strong foundation in Mediterranean cuisine, and even my butcher contently give me helpful tips and advice.

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

Easter! My future in-laws family is Greek and I love the way they celebrate this holiday.

Reading any good books lately? Which ones?!

Allergy-Free Cookbook by Alice Sherwood is great reading material for those with food allergies or cook for someone with allergies.

You’ve had a rough week. How do you relax after a rough week?

A prime rib roast or leg of lamb roast, and then follow it by a hot bubble bath, a glass of wine, and a box of chocolate.

Where is your favorite vacation (holiday) destination?

My most recent trip to Japan has been an eye opener for me as a foodie. In fact, the trip inspired me to start blogging!

What is your favorite cooking/food related magazine? Why?

Decanter, a Britsh wine magazine, is the only magazine I am subscribed to.

Do you have a food addiction?

Red meat: slow roasted, rare with black peppercorn crust

What did you eat for dinner last night? Did you prepare it or someone else?
I spent last night on flying back to Vancouver from Taiwan. I ate some suspect congee with pork floss, with tea.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

McDonald burgers and chicken nuggets: Considering I focus on healthy low-carb food as a blogger, I am a bad bad girl.

What kind of colors do you like? Pastels? Earth tones? Brights? Neons? Etc.

Winter Blue. It’s rare to see natural blue color in food, but it offers so much mystery and elegance to the plate.

If you had the choice of a free kitchen, bathroom, living room or bedroom makeover – which would you choose and why?

It would definitely be the kitchen where I spend almost all my time. Also, I need space for my dream 7-in-1 Cuisinart mixer.

The Martha – Angel of Domestication or Minion of Evil? Why?

I don’t’ know much about Martha and her work.

Do you watch any competitive cooking shows? Like Top Chef or Hell’s Kitchen? If so, which is your favorite and why?

Cooking Network is always on. My favourite show is Top Chef Master, because I love seeing a lot of my favourite chef and seeing how they speak and interact with each other. Also, I am uncomfortable with the drama that accompanies other competitive cooking shows.

What’s your favorite “sweet” spice? How about your favorite “savory” spice?

Cinnamon is my favourite sweet spice, as it is absolutely delicious in an apple pie but also increases body’s metabolism (to help you burn off that apple pie). Tumeric is my favorite savoury spice. It has a gorgeous bright yellow color and also has healing properties.

If you could eat in any celebrity chef’s restaurant which restaurant would it be, and which chef owns it?

Marcus Samuellson’s Aquavit Restaurant in New York. I have long admired his fusion cuisine and the creative use of spices.

What’s your favorite herb to cook or bake with? Do you prefer fresh or dried?

Basil is my best friend, fresh or dry. I put it in just about everything.

Is there one recipe on your blog that you would like to share with us? If so, leave the link here.

Chocolate Truffle Truffle. It just won two awards at Foodie Blogroll, so I think it’s more likely that readers here would enjoy it as well.

Do you have a time saving kitchen tip you’d like to share with us?

I am a terribly inefficient cook and I spend a lot of time playing with my food. When I am too tired to cook, I would be throw some meat, carb and veggie, salt, pepper, broth all into one pan, cover, and then into the oven. I would also eat directly out of it to save on having to do dishes.

You can visit Christine on her blog Bumble’s Bodacious Buffet