Sean Milton, Neighbor

As a Pacific Northwest native I make it a point to utilize all of the beautiful and unique attributes this area provides. I live and work in Renton, WA with my partner and our two dogs. It is a delight to be a part of Patch and I look forward to growing with this exciting news forum.

First off, I am not a chef. Nor do I have any aspirations to be. My recipes and ideas basically come from a lifelong obsession with food. As long as I can remember exploring cuisine and making variations to my Mom's cooking has been important for me. My Dad used to tell me not to "doctor up" food and, as a result, that is exactly what I've been doing ever since.

When I first moved out on my own I cooked for survival but longed for the day when I could explore and delve further into an epicurean lifestyle. By my mid twenties I was fortunate enough to align myself with a chef and author. She allowed me the opportunity to assist her with two cookbooks—and it really changed my life. It was my job to test and create recipes along with her and a whole new world opened up for me.

From that point my curiosity has grown. At 26 I formally went back to college, while engaging in a four year food experience at home. In my small kitchen I tested recipes on friends, entertained and cooked my way through exams and term papers. As a result I feel that I sort of obtained two degrees: one officially in journalism and another in the art of understanding food.

For me cooking isn't about fancy or over-the-top meals. Instead I feel that whomever I invite for dinner should be comfortable and have a really good time. I've tried the impressive thing and always ended up looking like an idiot. My friends either though I worked way too hard or I was annoyed by time dinner. Surprisingly, the most memorable dinners have been around casual—but really good—home cooking.

I hope my recipes spark your imagination and open the door for enjoyable at-home meals. Check back often as my quest for new ideas is on going and it is my pleasure to share them with you.