We're thrilled to announce Caryn Ross as one of the finalists for Real Women of Philadelphia!

This self-proclaimed "Fat 'N' Sassy" Mama has two kids, a 17 year marriage to the man of her dreams, and hails from Norman, Oklahoma. This gadget-loving girl loves being crafty and fixing on-the-go meals for her boating family! She even finds time to write her adorable blog, http://fatandsassymama.blogspot.com/

We caught up with Sassy Caryn and asked her about her life and times with food!

What is the best meal you've eaten and why?

Mother's Day this year!! Jack and my kiddos Jackson and Caytie prepared me an entire 4-course meal of all of my favorites! Jack came to me on Saturday asking for my Joe's Stone Crab recipe book and told me that they had dinner covered on Mother's Day. I was delighted on Mother's Day to find my husband in the kitchen hunting around for a whisk and asking how the heck you get this pink mixer to turn on. They were making me all of my favorites! Here is what they prepared, from scratch: Jack's Crab Cakes, Caytie's Herb Green Salad, Jackson's Bow tie Pesto Primavera, Fresh pan roasted corn and then the best thing...Key Lime Pie!

Describe your biggest kitchen disaster?

Boy...this is a blast from the past. LITERALLY! In college my sorority sister and I decided to make a group of our Navy ROTC friends a lasagna dinner. We chose to cook it in our friend’s kitchen since he had an old house on campus. Being the only cook, I told everyone else to kick back and I would "take care of it." So, I put the noodles on to boil and started the sauce. Then I decided to start preheating the gas oven. I turned on the oven and stepped out to the patio to enjoy the beautiful spring evening. As I walked back into the kitchen, I heard a KABOOM and saw the oven door fly off the hinges and hit the opposite wall. I ran out screaming for someone to call the FIRE DEPARTMENT!!!! 

Once the fire department arrived and surveyed the scene, they came out and said "next time you need to light the pilot light before turning on the oven." Well, that was the last time I cooked in that ancient kitchen and we headed to Olive Garden! Who ever heard of lighting a pilot light every time you turn on an oven! Not this girl!

Who taught you how to cook?

This is super easy. My Grandma, Willie Walker. There is honestly nothing that she makes that I do not love. Her cooking style is what I would call "mama cuisine." Comfort food for your soul. All of her things are homemade and put together with her love for putting a good meal on the table for her family! I loved going to her house during the holidays. I would wake up early with her on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings, sitting on my stool watching her stir, knead and blend her delightful concoctions. But not at Grandma's! She had whole milk, white bread and TONS of butter. Liquid gold to my palate. When I was 13, I cooked my first entire Thanksgiving meal. She stood next to me the whole time encouraging and instructing me on what to do. The best part is that she explained to me the “whys" of cooking. By learning the basics I was able to go on and create recipes of my own for my family. Thank you Grandma!! I love you!

And here's more from Caryn in her own words!

I cannot thank you enough for selecting me! When I heard the news, I told my kids that dreams do come true! If you do not get out and go for it you may miss out! Mama is no longer “sitting on her biscuit, never having to risk it!” (my husband's favorite advice to the kids!) Being a finalist allows me to really show Jack and Caytie that getting out of your comfort zone might be just what you need to do! I am grateful to show them that I am living my dream!
 
Ultimately, I want my cooking to be more than just the ingredients, but a testimony to confidence. A cook must be confident in her ingredients, in her preparation and then in the presentation. If you believe in yourself and allow God to work, anything can happen! Thank you RWOP for giving me the opportunity to finally go for it!