I'm Solomon James, one of the community of bloggers who will be writing about food on this site. My passion is olive oil; I'm honestly more excited about oil than cheese or wine. Cheese changes too fast, wine changes too slowly. Olive oil changes just fast enough to remain a never-ending topic of exploration; yet slowly enough to feel that understanding the entire world of oil tastes can be within grasp so long as one regularly tastes different oils of the world.

I'm currently the resident olive oil expert at Zingerman's Deli, here in Ann Arbor, so I have access to a world of olive oil to taste. I'm also a full-time dad who's trying to keep my two-year-old daughter excited to try new foods and flavors, and expecting a baby in November, so I'm rooted in simple meals that can be made quickly. (I'm the main cook and primary caregiver in my family.)

In anything I taste, I place the highest value on complex flavors that are in harmony with each other and can be remembered and sensed long after swallowed. I do tend to appreciate bolder, more robust flavors in everything, so if that describes your palate, then pay attention when I say something is a favorite of mine. For those who like more delicate, subtle flavors, I'll try my best not to lead you astray or leave you out.

We'll get to know each other more as time goes on. Glad to meet you.