Announcing Real Women of Philadelphia finalist, Sheila Cutchlow! This Iowa native and single mom was born into a family of food lovers and the apple didn't fall far from the tree! Sheila loves cooking for friends and family, especially her daughter, Mallory - also a foodie! We loved how natural and comfortable and inviting Sheila was in her video - not to mention she made a fantastic looking dish!

We caught up with Sheila to ask her more about her love of cooking and all things food!

What is the first dish you ever cooked?

This is a great story! Fried fish sandwich and French fries. There was a place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa called The Fish Market, and I wanted a job there really bad, wanted to make my own money. I was only 14-15 years old at the time, no kidding, and I convinced the owner that I could cook. So he had me fix him an order of food. And I did it! My best friend and I ended cooking there for the summer. It was THE hang out!

What is the best meal you've ever eaten and why?

Thanksgiving 2007. My mom and I cooked every Thanksgiving side by side, except this 2007, she was in hospice. So I called her and we walked through everything together. "Mom, how much of this, Mom, how much of that?" Then I'd let her sleep, then call her again "Hey, I'm doing the dressing now, etc" Well, after I made the meal for the family, we called the hospice center and asked if we could come get her. As opposed to bringing a noisy family up there and possibly disturbing the guests. They said yes, and we busted her out of hospice! It was great! We brought her home, and when she ate...she looked at me told me that I had done a really good job. Told me that it tasted exactly like her food. It will remain my highest compliment.

Why is cooking so important to you?

Because there is so much meaning attached to food. Food says so much about how you feel about someone. I can take some meat and cook it, and someone will be fed. Or I can take that same piece of meat, let's say meatloaf for example and put some extra sauce on top, because I know it's Mallory's favorite, and I can leave out green pepper and put in red because that's how she likes it and then I can shape it in a heart (which is exactly what I do), and I can feed her tummy, her heart and her soul because she knows I'm paying attention and I've shown her, by the simple food on her plate, that I care. Not to mention, she'll remember my meatloaf (and that love) forever.

And here's a bit more about Sheila in her own words. We just couldn't be more thrilled to have her as one of the 16 finalists for Real Women of Philadelphia!

Of all the things I'm going to do with this life, my daughter Mallory is by far my best work. I didn't intend it to be this way, but I've been a single parent her whole life. As you can imagine, bringing up a child solo it tough, and had it not been for the support of my family and my amazing friends, there's no way I could have done it. It took total focus and dedication, of course. I passed up certain jobs because of the travel required, or the late nights out. I wanted to make sure I did right by kid! There have been times when I felt a little down, like I missed opportunities, that I'm never going to make it and I have foolishly questioned if I wasted my time. And then I look at Mallory, and I know that it was all time so well spent.

I want this because I want to reach other people out there and let them know to HANG ON! To keep doing the right things, that rewards come...they show up in such surprising ways, but I think I can inspire people. It's not too late to live an amazing life! And to be able to do this, with food being so central to my upbringing?!? It's so weird, really. Weird, good! I just know my mom would be so proud of me (because it would make her look really good! LOL) This is just simply what I want to do with the rest of my life! I want to cook, and talk about food and share stories with people. I want to really, really love my job!