HOST JACKIE TANTILLO - Proud And Passionate About Her Nursing Profession With Guest Chef Dennis Littley

Eunice was a confident hard working woman, that loved God, her country and her family. She was proud of her accomplishments and rightfully so.  

Chef Dennis is a successful classically trained chef, now retired and a very popular travel and food blogger. He prefers to cook for others rather than cook a meal for himself. His grandmother taught him a lot about food and cooking and she passed down "the joy of cooking." And now Dennis is sharing the 'joy of it' with all of his readers. You can find out more at https://www.askchefdennis.com/ 

Dennis's maternal grandparents were originally from Mexico and both were highly educated. His grandmother was a  teacher and his grandfather  a minister.  Eunice and her nine siblings were also all educated starting at a young age. All the children were born and raised in Texas and bilingual from an early age. Littley says of his mother's family "they were an all American family-all my uncles served in the Armed Forces and an uncle was at Pearl Harbor."  

Because Eunice was always studying and/or working, she never really had too much time to cook.  She often worked nights so she could be home to see  Dennis before and after school. Chef Dennis says that his mom, who he adored dearly, "influenced him and his love for cooking in an offhanded way." "Her lack of cooking skills and my love of food and her encouragement really helped push me in the right direction.  She was the reason I really started cooking and went int this field." says Littley.  

Dennis loved to cook for his mom and says  "I was never pressured into being a doctor or lawyer, my mother just wanted me to be happy."  But he took care of his mom as well. At a young age, he would collect recyclable bottles and cans, ride his bike to the supermarket and buy food with the money he made to cook for his mom because she didn't have time to cook for herself.  Dennis agrees that he gave his parents a hard time, a bit rambunctious, but he was named after the  'Dennis the Menace' tv character, after all.

My guest, got his first full time job at 12 years old and became manager of a burger place, flipping burgers at 13 in Atlantic City, New Jersey right on the ocean.

When asked what meal he'd cook for his mom if she were here today, Dennis reminisces about the rice, pepper, onion, bacon and cheddar cheese casserole his mom and he loved to eat till the dish was empty and everyone was happy.  Later on in life, once Eunice had retired from nursing, she was able to embrace her time in the kitchen with her friends and found the ‘joy of cooking’.

"Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers and the roles they play in our lives. And my guests answer the question, 'are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother'? You'll be amazed at what the responses are.

"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal relationships with their mother.

Some of my guests include Baritone Singer Christopheren Nomura, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist Tim Wacker, Activist Kim Miller, Freighter Sea Captain Terry Viscount, Film Production Manager Peg Robinson, Professor of Writing Montclair State University Dr. Bridget Brown, Tammy Steckler, attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter Mark Heingartner, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Maryellen Valyo Cole and Roger Evens, Property Manager in New Jersey and so many more talented and insightful women and men.

I've worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. I've interviewed so many fascinating people including musicians, celebrities, authors, activists, entrepreneurs, politicians and more.

A big thank you goes to Ricky Soto, NYC based Graphic Designer, who created my logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".

Check out my website for more background information: https://www.jackietantillo.com/

Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantillo

Find audio versions of the podcast here: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/60j14qCcks4AP3JUrWrc2M

Link to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/60j14qCcks4AP3JUrWrc2M

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