About UsI was born in Sloan, NY, a suburb of Buffalo. I'm the only child of Al and Fran Guminski, lifelong residents of Sloan. Having phenomenal cooks for both parents, I came by my love of the art quite naturally. My father earned his degree in the culinary arts after serving in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He worked as a manager of school cafeterias and later as a production supervisor for Freezer Queen in Buffalo. My mother had learned Polish recipes from her mother and grandmother and preserved many of the “heirloom” recipes you'll find on our site. I relocated to South Texas, near the Mexico border, in the mid-80s with my job. Over the next twenty years, I learned authentic Mexican recipes and techniques from friends and co-workers. After changing careers, I was Program Coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in South Texas. I was responsible for planning fundraising events, the MDA telethon, and helping care for the kids at summer camp. In 2004 my life underwent a drastic transformation. First my father, a Type II Diabetic since the early 90s, was diagnosed with Dementia. Then, a few months later, my mother collapsed with what we now know was a Spinal Stroke. She has since been confined to a wheelchair. I became their primary caregiver. We would spend the spring/summer months in Sloan and the fall/winter months in Texas. Uprooting my parents and moving them across country twice a year would have been hard under normal circumstances but it was excruciatingly painful for Mom and Dad had trouble adapting to the ever-changing surroundings. In March 2005, I met Jack, and we quickly became best friends. Thirteen whirlwind months (and two cross-country journeys) later, we were married. Dad had declined to the point that he could no longer withstand the long trip so Jack and I moved to Sloan in November, 2006. Jack has been Type 1 Diabetic since the late 70s. He grew up in the foodservice industry, having worked every position from janitor to managing partner. Ironically, working in the restaurant business is not ideal for Diabetes management. Late in 2007, he was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease and had to say “goodbye” to that line of work. Originally from South Mississippi, he also comes from a family of wonderful cooks. We work well together in the kitchen and he adds “Southern Flair” to the menu. Mom Gold, soon to be 85, has shared some of her favorite recipes, as well. Between Polish, Mexican and traditional Southern dishes, something different is usually the norm!
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