I’m a normal person trapped in a very odd place (Orange County). I work a regular office job that pays the bills and am currently pondering changing my life entirely by leaving my current job, field, and city behind.

I love being outdoors more than anything and require copious amounts of activity, fresh air, laughter, food & wine to survive!

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

This is my first month as both a Daring Baker & a Daring Cook! I am really excited to be a part of a group that is all about encouraging and inspiring each other to play with food. It’s so easy to get stuck in a culinary rut and having monthly challenges is a perfect method to keep the creativity level in my kitchen high!

Reading any good books lately? Which ones?!

Currently reading The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. I am a voracious reader – fiction, non-fiction, you name it! Anything but pure romance or horror.

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

Most of my friends don’t really cook, so anything I make is considered special because to them it’s an abstract concept that it didn’t emerge from a freezer and go into a microwave….

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

Daring Bakers seems to be covering the gamut! I am looking forward to trying EVERYTHING!

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

I don’t watch a lot of TV or movies, but I absolutely love music and have it on all the time at home. My favorite type of music hands down is Blues. I have roughly 300 GB of music – so I enjoy an eclectic mix of stuff!

You’ve had a rough week. We feel your pain. How do you relax after a rough week?

HAH! Funny you should ask, that has been THIS week. My remedy is this:

• Work out (try to reduce my need to scream)
• 1 martini & a dozen oysters at Happy Hour with a girl friend (vent, release)
• Head home to pajamas, nice music, movie, pizza and wine (decompress)
• Crawl into bed early & forget about the week!

What is the ultimate comfort food to you?

Anything with cheese & pasta or cheese & corn tortillas.

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

I live in California – what is a season? Okay, I like them all for different reasons. Winter brings snowboarding! Spring & Fall bring nice cooler weather hiking, rock-climbing and outdoor activity. Summer brings beach-time and being able to ride my bike to work.

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

Anything outdoors – riding my bike, gardening, hiking, backpacking, traveling, learning foreign languages, reading, entertaining, writing, photography, rock climbing, snowboarding…

You can visit Rose on her blog Bite Me Kitchen