Gary Nova grew up in the late a40s and early a50s on the lower East Side of Manhattan. He played soccer for the old New York Americans. In the late a60s and a70s he owned The Gym in New York City. In the a70s, a80s and a90s Nova was a singer/musician specializing in ethnic music. He is currently retired, doing lots of cooking, which began in 1975 with the first dish being Ukrainian Borshch #1 (according to the cookbook), though the recipe has changed somewhat as the years have gone by. Advice to beginners: be patient and donat give up!