my cupcakes are cuter than your kids

A few months ago, I created a Facebook album with the following caption:

"Since I have no children or pets, I've decided to start taking pictures of things that I cook." 

I posted a picture of some particularly delicious-looking cupcakes that I'd whipped up for a party at work, and waited to see if anyone would respond to my satire.

 the cupcakes that started it all

Now, don't get me wrong--I'm all for people having kids if they want them. Sometimes they're even cute. But I live in New York City, land of delayed maturity. Here, most twenty and thirty-somethings are still too busy figuring ourselves out to even contemplate bringing a child into the equation, not to mention that most of us wouldn't have anywhere to put it if we did. We rent closet-sized studio apartments, endure 6th-floor walkups, and spend 80% of our monthly income on 250 square feet of space. We live with roommates long past the age where it should be considered socially acceptable. And we like it that way.

Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, particularly those I no longer see on a regular basis. It's fun to hear what people are up to. But along with birthday parties and promotions, I am regularly subjected to pictures of Petey the chihuahua in his Halloween costume, status updates about how many times little Billy used the potty that day, and more sonogram photos than I care to count. Surely I'm not the only one who'd rather just see some delicious cupcakes...right?

Well, apparently I'm not alone. Over the past few months my cooking album--part satire, part food porn--has generated more comments than anything else I've ever posted on Facebook. And it got me thinking--if my friends are looking at pictures of Linzer Tortes and hazelnut gelato, is it possible that strangers would be interested, too? I guess I'm here to find out.

And me? I work in the entertainment industry, but I also really, really love to cook. I am one of seven Manhattanites currently using my oven for something other than storage. Other than middle school home ec class (where my proudest accomplishment was serving over-salted pumpkin muffins on Parents' Day) I have no particular training in anything food-related. I just love to cook, and I love to eat. I'm 97% vegetarian but do enjoy the occasional package of beef-flavored ramen noodles. I don't like peanut butter. I think capers are awesome.

I hope this blog will be a little bit of everything I love about food--tips, reviews, recipes, lots and lots of photos. And while I can't say exactly what you'll find here, I can promise that you will never see a sonogram or a picture of a dog dressed as anything other than a dog. Except maybe a dog dressed as a cupcake, because that would be cute.

Bon appétit.