I started reading this forum just over 10 years ago and finally joined almost 7 years ago. At the time there were some really nice looking meals and cooks being posted, no question about that. I was inspired in a way you can never imagine. My inspiration has continued to grow following the sage advice from folks like
Bearcarver
,
foamheart
,
disco
and several other great people here. Please forgive me if I've missed anybody that has changed the course of our lives, it's just that those are the first that come to mind. These folks tend to be very humble and downplay their contributions to the forum but they have provided the catalyst and inspiration for a whole new wave of cooking. Hats off to all of you!! Maybe it's just my imagination but it seems as though the quality and variety of presentation just seems to continue getting better and better. I'm seeing meals presented here that you couldn't get in a 5-star restaurant, no matter how much money you were willing to spend. What I find really interesting is that unless I miss my guess, only a very few people here have any formal culinary training. That makes it even more incredible to see the meals people are turning out. Again, perhaps it's just my deviant little mind running wild on me but I'm thinking there has been an evolution in this forum that is nothing short of incredible. I know in no uncertain terms that I have grown more that I ever thought possible in the culinary arts since embracing this place. It seems as though we are all feeding off of each for inspiration and ideas to take our food to the next level and present stuff that nobody has ever seen before. Certainly, I've pushed the boundaries and put out some really good stuff, but so have a whole bunch of other folks. This has been one Hell of a ride, and I have the feeling that it's just beginning. It's not going to do anything but continue getting better if what I think I've been seeing keeps the course. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every one of you for the ideas, the inspiration, and creating the desire to keep getting better....making each meal better than the last one. Y'all are nothing short of amazing!!
Climbing down off my soapbox,
Robert
Climbing down off my soapbox,
Robert