Find these bitter greens - cultivated rather than wild - at Whole Foods and some Middle Eastern sources listed in Markets. If you pick wild dandelions, make sure you do it before they bloom, don't do it in a dog park and do wash them extremely well before using.

Peggy Thompson, chef at DISH, worked as a meeting planner before going to culinary school. Boredom inspired her to start a new career, and through it she found more than just good food.