Growing up in New York, in an Italian household, I was fortunate to be able to eat some amazing foods. My grandparents were off the boat Italians, that came to New York through Ellis Island. My grandmother was definitely where my love of food came from. I can remember as a kid, being in her kitchen in Brooklyn, and watching her make chicken parmesan. Of course, I would sneak a piece of mozzarella here and there. The food was amazing, but even better than that, was the tradition that was instilled in me, of having "Sunday Dinner" with family. Everyone would come over and we would eat salad, then pasta and then fruits and nuts. My grandfather would have his own side plate of plain salad and cucumbers. We kids used to always try and steal his cucumbers. The family time that was spent over dinner, was a magical time for me growing up and it is still that way for me today.