My name is Alison Barnett and I started Alibabka in 2011 to blog about my passion for the culinary arts. The results have been amazing, averaging a few hundred hits a day! I am a recent graduate from The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City I work full time at a non-profit and Intern part time at Solo Restaruant in NYC. One of the things that makes me different than most of the other students in culinary school is that I am an Observant Jew and keep the laws of Kashrut. Graduating from ICE is proof that observant Jews can do whatever they are passionate and still strictly uphold Rabbinic Law. Keeping kosher in the culinary world has pushed me to be extremely creative by substituting ingredients and coming up with new takes on classic dishes. I hope that this blog inspires people of all different religious and cultural backgrounds to pursue their dreams and know that they never have to compromise their own belief system to do what they love. I love sharing my ideas, thoughts, recipes, and experiences about cooking. I believe that anyone can cook with a little direction, the right tools, and a whole lot of patience.