( he believes much more in practical skills than he ever has school or books, so that gets an approving nod. )

It's pretty easy once you get down to it. Mostly, you have to know how heat affects different ingredients, and what flavors go together. That sort of thing. I don't mind showing you how, though most of what I make is... uh. A little on the hot side. So if you can't handle spice, speak up now.

( his brother likes to accuse him of trying to melt steel, whoops. )