I learned to smoke here at SMF, and how to apply the instincts to smoking I've developed over 40 years in the kitchen oven, stovetop, and backyard grill. I can now do butts, ribs, brisket, and poultry in my sleep. Still, learned a new trick recently with brisket that rocked my world.
Never did much baking, though. Rollers Amish bread opened the floodgates for me. Now, I'll bake all kinds of bread. Still don't bake desserts much, but not afraid to try.
Not much interested in complicated processes or recipes, but absolutely love big flavors and learning something new. Do so every week, so I guess that makes me a constant rookie. This week it was Hawaiian dinner rolls, homemade eggnog, and a cranberry orange sauce.
We usually buy Trader Joe's cranberry orange relish but weren't going to wait in line to get some. I actually kind of dislike cranberries but my wife loves them. I opened a can of whole cranberries, dumped them in a bowl, and added a diced tangy naval orange. Wow. So good.
I'll always be a rookie who loves to learn. Never met a recipe I wanted to try that couldn't change in some way.