CNN PRODUCER NOTE     ChrisMorrow interviewed a variety of chef through 2012 from places ranging from San Diego to Panama City. She was inspired to create a compilation of her favorite interviews with people who surround themselves in the culinary world. 'The question I always asked is "who taught you to love food," it's a running theme for me,' she said. She says her favorite interview was with food writer Jane Lerner who said to her, 'You don't have to get fancy. You just need to know the basics. You need to know what you are doing.'

'Food is a major component in life and it fascinates me as a foodie how cooking techniques are handed down through generations.' She says cooking has been a part of her life since childhood. 'I learned to cook via my parents. They gave me a cookbook as a child and I would pick an interesting recipe and make it for Sunday dinner,' she said. 'It is one of my fondest childhood memories.'
- Jareen, CNN iReport producer