"As a kid, I grew up watching my mom in the kitchen," laughs Susan. "I wish I could say I cooked and cooked with her all day long, but I mostly watched and listened. I did a lot of listening."

Chef Susan Irby was born in Georgia, but may as well be from Alabama, because that is where her fondest memories are. With the broadest smile spread across her face, Susan shares this memory. "My family had this awesome lake cabin in Alabama. When I was growing up, and still to this day, we ended our day cooking in our bikinis, because we were just too starving to change after playing on the water all day. That's really where 'Bikini Cooking' began!" exclaims Susan. "I discovered cooking could be so fun, relaxed and adventurous that once I left home...and don't tell Mom that's when I really started cooking ... I cooked all the time. My roommates in college loved me! I became known for making great tasting, healthy foods from virtually nothing in out kitchen cabinets." As Susan reflects, "Ah, it was awesome!"   read more