Name: A Shot of Java, Lisa Dowd   

When and where can we find you in Glendale? 7003 N. 58th Ave. in the Marty Robbins Plaza behind Pizza Old Roma.

Where were you born? Brooklyn, New York

What brought you to Glendale? I was looking for a change, and I came to Phoenix to visit a friend. I fell in love with Arizona and moved out here six months after my first visit. My husband and I decided we wanted to live in a city that fit us and had what we wanted for our family. That city was Glendale, and that was 18 years ago. I am still living in Glendale.

Culinary training and experience: No training; my mother loved to cook. She passed that love of cooking on to me.

Tools of the trade: Garlic! You can never have too much garlic!

Favorite food, favorite chef and why? Italian is my favorite food, and my favorite chef is my mom. She cooked with so much love that her food would reflect the love she had for cooking. I don’t think that I ever had better Italian food than hers.

When the chef’s hat is off (hobbies): Watching my son play soccer, and I love to sing and dance.

Old standbys: I keep it very traditional; chicken Parmesan, spaghetti and meatballs, escarole and lentil soup.

How many cooks in your kitchen? Solo.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner? I have to pick two: Breakfast and dinner.

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate.

How do you take your coffee? With cream.

The 10-word tour of your restaurant: Smells great, shop is comfortable and friendly, coffee is delicious!