About Don

Working the pizza oven

I have a BA in English Literature and Spanish Literature from Brigham Young University and a M.A. in Educational leadership from Cal State University at Northridge.  I also studied art history and painting at Cal State University Long Beach.  I taught in urban classrooms in Los Angeles for 17 years and am currently the principal of Wonderland Elementary School , a wonderful small school snuggled in the Hollywood Hills.

I was born and raised in California, but since the time I left home at 17, I have lived in Chile, Mexico, Spain, Austria, Hawaii, Utah, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Oregon.   My time abroad and roaming the Western States has been a major influence in my life.  I have collected recipes and learned traditional dishes from friends a long the way and they form a major foundation to my eclectic approach and passion for the kitchen. I speak spanish fluently and have retained just enough German to order beer and swear a bit.

Food is my passion and Andrew is my life.  I dedicate this site to him and all that he has taught me at the table.