Feeding the foodies

I happen to be one of the luckiest people when it comes to my job. I love what I do and enjoy coming to work each day with respectful, fun and intelligent coworkers. The best thing about my coworkers is the mutual love and appreciation for eating. We often hunt down coveted food trucks nearby or talk about new eating places coming soon to our area. We also spend many lunch hours eating together in front of the TV which is always tuned to the Food Network.

We've spent many months chiding Paula Deen's shameless attempts to market mayonnaise as a vehicle for fried food, her distaste for anything green or of value to the human body and her slick motives to crown butter as a main dish item. We've also had many a debate over why Ina Garten only wears popped collar dark dress shirts, what the deal is with her husband Jeffrey and if her voice has ever gotten angry before in her life. And there have been many a choice comment on a certain Food Network "personality" whose elaborate table-scapes and quick fix meals don't cut it for this crowd.

Most recently, we decided it was time to put our cooking skills on display. And yesterday, the day finally came where six of us brought in some summer dishes to share. The spread was the perfect balance of sweet, savory and guilty pleasures.

We prepared and devoured the following items:

• deviled eggs
• pigs in a blanket
• orzo pasta salad with feta and zucchini
• BBQ spare ribs
• bulgar salad with mint, jicama and peaches
• chocolate cream tart
• white and yellow peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream

YUM. So much for getting back on the healthy eating train.