Valentine's Day is in 9 days.

What is Valentine's Day anyway? Some say the modern incarnation was a marketing ploy by greeting card companies. Some link the holiday to pagan fertility festivals. Others trace the tradition all the way back to Ancient times, and all through the rise of the Catholic Church.

I personally believe it was created as a way to make all us single folk feel bad about being single.

But this year is different.

No, I don't have a hot date. This year, I have my kitchen to keep me company. I'm serving a four-course dinner to a lot of people for a pretty good chunk of change. Chicken and fish, chocolate and crème brûlée, strawberries and wine. Selections from French haute cuisine, Provençal classics, and a couple of creations of my own. Guaranteed to have that certain je ne sais pas.

I have my cooking to keep me company. Artistry meets science meets passion. A love affair with food? Yeah, pretty much. And even though I do cook a lot of savory dishes, deep down I'm still a pastry chef.

¶ 1:46 AM