Devetta Acklin

Mussels with tomatoes and garlic over a bed of angel hair pasta, served with a fresh herb butter baguette, is a wonderful start to any dinner. The delicate seafood paired with the richness of garlic, fresh herbs, and ripe tomatoes creates a dish that feels both comforting and elegant. Meals like this remind us that food is more than nourishment — it is an experience that brings people together through flavor, culture, and conversation.

Watching Chef Michael Smith and his television show Chef Abroad sparked my fascination with international cuisine. With the encouragement and support of my children, that passion eventually led me to culinary school Cooking became more than preparing food — it became a way to bring cultures together without even trying. Through flavors, traditions, and shared meals, I discovered how food connects people from all walks of life.

Helping my daughter pay down her mortgage and taking my grandchildren on a trip to Greece and Italy. This would be a lasting memory for my family across generations. The Mediterranean has a way of bringing together everything I value: culture, food, family, history, and connection. Walking through the streets of places like Athens, enjoying fresh pasta in Rome, or watching your grandchildren experience the sea, music, and traditions for the first time would be unforgettable.