ABOUT THIS COOK:

Emily Swantner, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in December 2000, after having lived overseas for 12 years. She firmly believes that food is one of life’s great glories and passions and is committed to teaching others how to savor and enjoy its diversity. Before turning to a culinary career, Emily married in 1990 an itinerate vagabond, which allowed her to live in and extensively travel to many food meccas of the world, including Southeast Asia, Central Asia, India, Japan, Europe and the Middle East, where she pursued increasing interests in the culinary arts of these diverse cultures.

• What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
  Slugs in Thailand

• What do you cook when home alone?
  Anything with a "world" twist

• Your most treasured kitchen possession:
  Rubber spatulas

• The ideal number of guests for a dinner party is:
  6 to 8