My first real position in a kitchen was at The Hyatt Regency in Fort Lauderdale, FL as a catering cook.
The first dish I really mastered is anything francaise. Gotta love some egg batter.
Seared Striped Bass
My most triumphant moment in a kitchen is when I worked at The Forge. I mastered every station in a man's kitchen and took a 2-3-person saute station and turned it into a 1-woman station. Disaster moments...watch Season 10. I am sure you will see a moment or two.
My nanny! I remember standing on a chair at the age of three rolling meatballs and dropping them into the gravy.