Gourmet fare with a western flair-some sophisticated, some simple, all perfect for those wanting to experience the incredible combination of flavors of the American West.
I was born in Hong Kong, eldest son of an Iraqi mother and Russian father, and spent my first 10 years growing up in the bustling metropolis, Shanghai. For many of those years, we lived with Granny, my Iraqi grandmother, and she cooked all our food. She was also a fabulous baker, as was my Russian grandmother, Baba. My grandmothers instilled in me their passion for baking, and I began on my own path at the age of 11 when we immigrated to San Francisco. Although I cooked and baked from that point on, it never occurred to me to pursue cooking as a profession--even after I won a cash prize at the 10th Pillsbury Bake-Off as a teenager! Instead, I pursued science as a career. I have a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of California, Berkeley, and I held a full professorship at the University of Montana for ten years. Thanks to Carl Sontheimer, who hired me as national spokesperson for Cuisinarts, Inc. more than 25 years ago, I gave up the academic life and plunged headlong into the world of food. I've written articles for most of the major food magazines, and I write two monthly columns for my local paper, the Missoulian. I also contribute food columns to the Missoulian's quarterly magazine, missoula.com. My cookbook, "Baking in America," won the James Beard Award in 2003, and "A Baker's Odyssey" won the 2009 Cordon d'Or Academy Award. His new blog, all about the magic of baking, is at www.thebakingwizard.com.
