I believe this journey began for me in October of 2003. My wife Nancy and I were in Las Vegas for a Fleetwood Mac concert. The night of the show we had dinner at FiAMMA TRATTORiA and Bar at the MGM Grand. I had the greatest braised short rib ravioli with a beef demi glace. The meal was fabulous and the concert was the best I have ever seen. I told Nancy the next day that I have to figure out how to make that ravioli. Upon return I called my then brother-in-law and still good friend Scott. Scott is a well-traveled chef and restaurateur. I told him I had this ravioli in Las Vegas and I wanted to recreate it. I explained to him what it was all about and he said as creative chef minds do, should be no problem. He gave me a list of things to pick up and said I'll be over Saturday and we'll make it. Saturday came and Scott was instructing and walking me through the process of building this wonderful ravioli. After about 4 hours and a trashed kitchen we all sat down to try this dish. It was like I was back in Las Vegas. We nailed it. I say we because I was there, not because I masterminded the creation. That is when it hit me. I have got to try this again. Scott got my creative juices flowing and I wanted another challenge. I messed around more and more in the kitchen and really started to enjoy cooking. I have been greatly inspired by many different chefs and many different restaurants that are famous and not so famous but with great ideas and techniques. So here I am almost 10 years later fortunate enough to travel to many places around the world with great friends enjoying a lot of great food. I want to share the experiences and especially the food with any one who will listen. Who is The Half Assed Chef? It is anyone who likes to do something nice for friends and family. What better way than to cook for them. For me I enjoy cooking and really don't consider myself a quote unquote chef and The Half Assed Chef is a neat way to say that. On the contrary my Dad Sonny always said "When your going to do any thing in life don't do it half assed." So I try to live up to that statement and give my best effort in all I do and still not take myself too seriously. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoy the book,