As told to Pilot writer Carolyn Shapiro

– As told to Pilot staff writer Philip Walzer

– As told to Pilot writer Carolyn Shapiro

I was in education before I decided to go back for my culinary degree. I always wanted to be a chef and get into food. I was a foodie, and I was ready to take it to the next level.

I was born in Hampton, but grew up in Virginia Beach. My dad, Al Habit, was a legendary high school football coach, starting at Hampton High School before moving on to Princess Anne and Cox high schools.

– As told to Pilot writer Robert McCabe

I grew up in Portsmouth on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River, crabbing, fishing and watching the container ships coming in.

My dad, Capt. George E. Watkins, is a retired harbor pilot. So it makes some sense to me that I wound up where I am today.

– As told to Pilot writer Josh Brown

My father was an entomologist for the Department of the Navy. This is back when I was like 10 years old. We were stationed in London, and my mom gave him a wine-making kit.

– As told to Pilot writer Robert McCabe

I was born and raised in Lexington, Va. My husband is from Rockbridge County also. Both of our families are from there. I spent most of my career in the Roanoke area. My family moved to Hampton Roads in 2006.

- As told to Pilot writer Robert McCabe I was born in Norfolk in 1955, but grew up in Portsmouth, where I live today. I've been around the waterfront all of my life. I worked on the Carrie B as a mate and also as a tour boat guide in high school and college. Those experiences were kind of stepping stones.

While in school, I developed my love for sales and marketing. I worked part time at Thom McCann shoes. At age 18, they made me a retail store manager. Back in 1974, I was making about $40,000 a year.

Every year, my two children and I would go to the Williamsburg Inn and enjoy the gingerbread houses in the windows. And I wanted to create something that was not just a prefab kind that didn’t smell like any spices. We wanted to bake one.