Name: The Tea Shoppe, Jan Vinson

When and where can we find you in Glendale? 7005 N. 58th Ave. Glendale, Ariz. 85301, E-mail: Jan.Vinson@gmail.com, Tuesday – Saturday, 11a.m.- 4 p.m.

Where were you born? I was born in Detroit

What brought you to Glendale? We moved when I was eleven years old for my father’s health.

What drew you to the kitchen? Us kids always cooked, we helped with family meals when my mother had to go to work. Also, I raised three boys, and I had to cook to feed them.

Culinary training and experience: None, just being around my mother and helping in the kitchen.            

Favorite food, favorite chef and why? Stuffed green peppers, and I have come to like Rachel Ray. Her cooking is down to earth, and she makes a lot of comfort foods.

When the chef’s hat is off (hobbies): I do stamping, making cards, unique gifts, books, also cross stitch and do wool felting.

Unique dishes you prepare: Most of my dishes are just plain home cooking; I don’t like doing fancy cooking. At the Shoppe, the strawberry salad has been the biggest hit.

Old standbys: Swedish meatballs, stuffed green peppers, chili.

Advice for new chefs or restaurant owners: Don’t try and do too much at once, begin simple and go from there. Get to know your customers, their likes and dislikes. Customers like to feel special.

How many cooks in your kitchen? Myself, my son, Mark (also part owner), works in the kitchen. He doesn’t cook, but he does all the prep for the sandwiches and he makes a terrific sandwich.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner? Lunch.

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate.

How do you take your coffee? What a question to ask a tea shoppe owner, no coffee for me, thanks!

The 10-word tour of your restaurant: Comfortable, home-cooked meals like Mom or Grandma’s