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Today, the Los Angeles native lives in Nashville. "It's easy to meet musicians that just want to jam, no record involved," she says about living in Music City. "Everywhere I go, there's a guitar, a piano, whatever. People just live for music because it's a part of who they are. I flourish in an environment like that." However, she would like to see Nashville diversify their music scene and truly be worthy of calling themselves Music City. Still primarily touting country music with some pop and rock, she'd like to see more jazz and blues clubs. Traveling to Nashville since she was 10 years old, Tiffany started out with country music as her foundation, and worked with American folk music singer-songwriter, Hoyt Axton. "My parents were constantly running me to Los Angeles, we lived about 45 minutes outside of L.A. They had me in acting class, modeling class... I was a dancer before that." Forced to focus on one, she chose music. "I think that's what I do the best." She credits her "go-getter" stepfather for helping her break into the music industry. At 14, Tiffany recorded her first album, and began playing VFW clubs, backyard barbeques, and grocery stores. She was performing in New York City clubs that she couldn't even hangout in, which made them realize that the age group was all wrong. Then, her A&R guy suggested she perform at the mall, which made perfect sense since this is where kids her age hung out. "I didn't come from money but my girlfriends and I would hangout, go look at hot guys, go to the record store. It made sense to me that that would work, and it did and I'm forever grateful. I got a mean shopping habit because of the mall. I seriously do." She laughs. In addition to music, this foodie has a passion for cooking. While on the road, Tiffany is constantly cooking for the band at the Airbnbs they stay at and frequently hosts impromptu dinner parties when she's home. What are your plans for the holidays? "I'm a cheesy-cheesy, hammy-mammy, stand-around-the-piano- and-sing girl. That's like my favorite thing to do." On Christmas Eve, she opens her house to all and whips up a multicultural feast that includes grape leaves and tamales. Christmas is more low-key with an English breakfast in the morning and themed dinner at night: all the traditional entrees, like turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy, with a twist. "One year it might be an Italian theme, the next year it might be Indian, Mexican." This year, she's not sure what she'll do, maybe Thai since she's been eating a lot of it lately. Fans might be surprised to find out that she's doing a cookbook next year. "I'm a one pot kinda girl. I love stews and soups —easy dinners. I'm Lebanese, so I'm much more fresh herbs and fresh broths. Pot is cooking for 30 minutes and you have this amazing dinner. I'm all about it," she laughs. Her go-to dish is her Lebanese chicken with cumin, lemon, cinnamon, and Kalamata olives with a side of grilled vegetables. After appearing on Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, Food Network asked her to do Chopped. "I was in the top three. I did Italian food, which I'd never made an arancini in my life before. I learned. It was awesome to see the judges critique me. I forget which one said, 'We're sitting here judging her like she's a real chef, which says something.' I thought that was great." A conflict with her schedule prevented her from doing Chopped ["I also was like, 'I don't know. I barely survived this.'], but she definitely wants to go back –as she loves the show. Eager to expand her knowledge of the culinary arts, Tiffany would love to work with more chefs in the future. Would you entertain the idea of doing a cooking show? "I would love to do a cooking show that is exactly like my home parties! I want people to come in, have cocktails, hangout. And then my friends, who are musicians, will start playing music, and I'll come in and out, do a song. It would be about the food, about the different characters —I could bust out a few celebrities here and there. I'm the perfect person for it because I think it takes a certain personality type. It needs to be done: rock 'n' roll, vibrant, fun, spontaneous!" ML Keep up with Tiffany on Facebook.com/ tiffanythesinger, Instagram @tiffany_tunes, Twitter @TiffanyTunes and tiffanytunes.com.