Welcome to the adventure...of food, wine and the experience that goes along with them.

Unbelievable! It is the first full day of spring and what a perfect way to start- with something new. That something has been a long-time coming. That something is my first blog post.

As I sit here in my living room on this quiet Sunday morning with my second mug of Caribou Blend coffee from my treasured Keurig Coffee Machine, I am thrilled to welcome you to my world. It's the perfect coincidence that I should begin writing while savoring my favorite coffee, which will most definitely earn some blog-time in the near future. However, coffee is only a small grain that makes up the wholesome obsession that I have with food. That obsession equalled only by the passion that I have for wine. On their own, food and wine make up their own islands of possibilities but when paired together - you have an experience unlike anything else in the world.

What's Cookin'? is rooted on the East End of Long Island, New York. My home base is just west of Route 105 at the very entrance of Long Island's North Fork Wine Country. The destination goes by many names and sometimes can be a terrible mouthful. That's why from now on, in this blog, I will call it North Fork, New York.

Our region is colorful in the personalities that inhabit it and is rich in agriculture. The East End is abundant in farm stands; fields of "U-Pick" varieties; vineyards and wineries (of course); and more recently, Zagat-rated, gourmet restaurants that have put us on the dining map. This is where our adventures will begin.

Do you consider yourself a foodie? Are you new to the entertaining/cooking scene and need some help? Do you absolutely love everything about a delicious meal at a candlelit table and an exciting conversation over a bold Bordeaux blend? I answered yes to all of these. If you did too, then I believe you will enjoy taking this journey with me.

What is this blog really about?

• I will write about anything and everything interesting that I'm cooking, including my test kitchen.
• I will also write about anything and everything interesting that the chefs in my day-to-day life are cooking. (Yes, I have four of them.)
• I'll review a restaurant each time I dine out - from hot spots to good 'ole local eateries.
• I will talk about wines that I taste and wines that were paired perfectly with meals.
• The blog will feature many Long Island wines but will also venture to the West Coast and beyond to imports.
• Basically, if it's an amazing story about an ingredient in the world of food and wine, from the herbs I'm growing to a creative concept I learned of, it will be in this blog.

Join me...an "island girl" on an adventure of food and wine. Share with me What's Cookin' in your world as well.

Once again, welcome!