Feeding people makes him happy but his culinary expertise makes its recipients happier.

Mark Flanagan has enjoyed cooking most of his life. “I come from a family who loves to cook. My mother was a good cook. I have a brother who is a professional chef and my father is a great cook.”

Mark is the chief cook in his household. Asked if he and his wife could cook together in the same kitchen, with a smile on his face, Mark laughingly replied, “My wife really doesn’t like to cook. It’s up to me. I’ll ask her daily what she would like for dinner. Just give me the meat you want, then I’ll come up with what goes with it. Taking over the kitchen is my hobby. Just give me a couple beers and the kitchen. It’s relaxation for me.”

Fish dishes, although a favorite, are not the only culinary creations that Mark whips up. He uses game, fresh vegetables from “my neighbor’s garden” and whatever’s in season, always crea...