my dad and his brother owned and operated restaurants. one of the restaurants, the leilani, was a HUGE part of my life. it is so often still in my dreams. growing up in a restaurant and having a dad who was the MOST amazing chef is the reason for my innate love of food. my dad and i had many things in common, one being the love of any and all foods. there is not a single food that i will not eat with delight (except mint jelly . . . but that is really a condiment . . . and my dad liked it).