diff --git a/random-menu.rb b/random-menu.rb
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+# RANDOM MENU GENERATOR
+# CREATED BY: LJ
+# LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 6, 2018
+###############################
+## allow for user selection of hardcoded menu items or custom
+puts "For today's menu generation you have two options: "
+puts "1 - Select from predefined menu items or"
+puts "2 - Create your own menu items and descriptions"
+print"\nWhich would you like to do today? (Select option 1 or 2): "
+selection = gets.chomp
+until selection == "1" || selection == "2"
+  print "Invalid selection, please enter 1 or 2: "
+  selection = gets.chomp
+end
+
+if selection == "1" # user requests hardcoded menu
+  # hardcode 3 arrays: 1 w/ food adjectives,
+  # 1 w/ cooking styles, 1 with foods
+  food_desc = %w(juicy hot spicy tangy cold zesty sweet savory scrumptious delicate)
+  food_style = %w(boiled steamed pan-seared grilled barbequed simmered tempura hand-whipped stir-fried broiled)
+  foods = %w(steak carrots ice-cream potatoes salmon veggie-burger cake meat-loaf chicken squid)
+else # => option 2, custom menu creation
+  # empty all arrays
+  food_desc = []
+  food_style = []
+  foods = []
+  print "How many menu items would you like to create? "
+  menu_size = gets.chomp.to_i
+  puts "Great! Today we will create #{menu_size} items."
+  puts "Let's start by entering some words to describe the #{menu_size} items: "
+  menu_size.times do |i|
+    puts "+" * 30
+    puts "Round #{i + 1} description"
+    print "Enter an adjective (e.g. savory, tart, etc.): "
+    food_desc << gets.chomp
+    print "Enter a cooking/preparation style (e.g. baked, broiled, etc.): "
+    food_style << gets.chomp
+    print "Enter the food type (e.g. fish, carrots, etc.): "
+    foods << gets.chomp
+  end
+  puts "Awesome! Thank you for the input!"
+end
+
+
+print "\n\n"
+puts '*'* 30
+menu_size = foods.size
+puts "Today's menu may contain up to #{menu_size} items."
+attempt = 1
+print "How many menu items would you like created? "
+num = gets.chomp.to_i
+# ensure valid user input, provide 3 attempts
+until num > 0 && num <= menu_size
+  if attempt > 3
+    puts "Sorry no menu today."
+    puts
+    exit
+  else
+    puts "Invalid quantity entered, please try again."
+    num = gets.chomp.to_i
+    attempt += 1
+  end
+end
+
+puts "\n\nPlease enjoy from the following menu items: "
+
+# create user input # of menu items
+num.times do |i|
+  # randomly select 1 item from each array
+  desc = food_desc.sample
+  style = food_style.sample
+  food = foods.sample
+  # output menu
+  puts "#{i + 1}. #{desc.capitalize} #{style} #{food}"
+  # ???? documentation shows .sample draws unique indices ?????
+  # manually remove selected item to prevent repetition
+  # food_desc.delete(desc)
+  # food_style.delete(style)
+  # foods.delete(food)
+end
+puts