From KCRW, I'm Evan Kliman and you're listening to good food.

There was a period in LA not too long ago

when a few children demanded food and cooking become a central part of their creative lives, alongside or instead of playing

in a band with friends or music lessons or sports.

One youngster in particular sprang up in such an unusual way here that the media focused on him,

wondering who was this kid, Flynn McGarry, and how did this passion become so focused, so young?

Even though Flynn now 24 is a chef living in New York,

people still wonder.

He's written in a story, which is an example

of creativity, discipline,

and parental support in a children's book,

titled This is not a cookbook.

Hi Flynn.

Hi, thanks for having me.

Oh, it's really great to have you on.

What was it that made you turn to food as an alternate interest?

Do you remember the thing that first sparked your interest and how old were you?

You know, it's interesting because it there wasn't necessarily like a specific sort of like a ha

moment but I think just like literally through like you know watching the food

network and kind of being or seeing like little glimpses of food I kind of started to

find myself listening a little bit harder you, I wouldn't flip the channel so quickly.

And then once I kind of just started to think like, oh, you know, this is kind of interesting

...