This is the story of a man who took almost a lifetime to realize that the accidentals of his first fifty years were really the essentials he needed to blossom as a happy, productive chef who enjoys what he does, how he does it, and how he brings enjoyment to others. Some of Joseph's early journey is recounted at the beginning of the book, tales from the ovens of both his mother and his maternal grandparents. Some stories from later years tell of his ongoing love affair with cooking, intermingled with stories of friends, travel and career changes. Still others are serious and soul searching. The man who describes himself as "chubby" since childhood shares recipes remembered and recreated from comfort foods enjoyed by family, to those of Billy, his first restaurateur boss, to those enjoyed in New York, to those amazing traditional dishes of Matilde, a woman he met in Italy. Joseph Caputo has enjoyed a lifetime of family, educational, and theatrical experiences. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he was educated in parochial schools, and went on to earn a degree in Communications from Marywood College in Scranton, and a Master's Degree in Theatre from the State University of New York. Joseph has combined his passion for food, storytelling, and theatre into a recipe for success. Spending countless hours in the kitchen of his boyhood home, and in exceptionally fine restaurants in New York City and worldwide have helped him to develop a unique culinary style. Blessed with keen perception as to which ingredients created the great dishes he enjoyed, he most often came home with a recipe all his own, and more spectacular than the original. Today he is chef/owner of two successful businesses Catering by Joseph LTD, and Zuppa del Giorno, il ristorante di pranzo, both located in Scranton.