Jill Davis, Editor in Chief, Halton Division

I can't remember the first time that I actually met her, but what I do know is that she made an impression, most likely a vivid impression.

She is vivacious, highly expressive, a smart entrepreneur who just happens to have a heart of gold. The fact she is a culinary expert with a knack of being able to 'read' people are among the reasons, I believe, that make her so successful.

My husband, John, and Julia enjoy a special bond because of their love for food and a shared opinion that a good meal is more than the sum of its ingredients.

John's beloved mom, Irene, who has long since passed away, was an absolutely amazing cook. She was happiest when preparing a large family feast. Rarely did she sit down with us as we polished off dish after dish. No, she would prefer to lean on a counter or chair watching the happy faces appreciate her labour of love. And love it was. Irene could prepare a Lake Erie perch dinner that makes me salivate just thinking about it. Her lasagna was a work of art as were her strawberry-rhubarb pies and angel food cake. To this day, I still use her battered tin pie plates, but no matter how much I try the results of my baking never quite match Irene's creations.

When John first met Julia, the savvy entrepreneur, they began a conversation that has lasted to this day. The two truly believe that an enjoyable meal can bring people together. Children and their parents can have the best discussions over dinner. The family that eats together truly does stay together. If any of you readers were fans of HBO's Sopranos you will know that every episode involved a meal or two - people coming together to share the day's events or what was going on in their lives.

Julia was impressed that John spoke so lovingly of his mom even though more than 22 years have slipped by since Irene left us.

Last year, John told me he wanted to give Julia his mom's prized cookbook. It was a 1940's hard-covered American book with more than a few dog-eared pages that led the reader to the best recipes. I was surprised that my husband wanted to give up such a treasure, but, in all honesty, it's not like I ever opened it.

Julia was taken aback when she received the cookbook. She said she would cherish the book and give it a place of honour in her culinary library.

Fast-forward to this year and Julia is busy working on opening another restaurant. It will be located in north Oakville and will offer a menu that focuses on all that is great about Italian dishes. John says he can already smell the homemade lasagna.

Julia called me recently -- she has an uncanny ability to know when I need a sympathetic ear -- and asked if I had a photograph of John's mom working in the kitchen.

"Why?" I asked.

Her answer stunned me. She wants to use the photograph as part of a collage of pictures for her new restaurant. It won't be just any collage. Julia wants pictures of all the women who have made a difference in the lives of their families.

What a great honour for John and me. I just know Irene is smiling.

Jill Davis can be reached at jdavis@haltonsearch.com.