Me.

Or, hmmm, who I think is me?

I am a daughter, a sister, an auntie, and a wife.  These are my most important jobs.  My family is very close but with my parents, brother and sister, nieces and nephew living far away*, I found myself at a bit of a loss, so it was time to concentrate on my next love… cooking.

A few years ago I completed a Culinary Master Program in an effort to refine my skills and gain new ones. I wasn’t disappointed! It was such a pleasure to go to school every day (who knew?!?!) with wonderful people who share the same interest. I am hoping to take my recipes to the next level and pass along some of my newfound knowledge to my family and friends, keeping it accessible enough for the home cook because, despite my enthusiasm, I am simply a home cook :). I don’t have anyone doing my chopping for me, I don’t have a team styling my food, no one else is running my website. It’s just me in my 40-year-old kitchen with my 20-year-old appliances (I hate my stove), trying to cobble together creative, tasty food.

chi chi and rachie May 2014 cropped

I think my love of food comes from my parents.  That’s mom and I making a meal together.  We don’t cook the same; her dishes lean towards traditional comfort food and I like to experiment more.  But we both love good food and use cooking to take care of the people around us.  It’s a recipe for success!!  (Oh dear, that was bad.  I’ll try not to do that again.)

From dad, I gained a love of fresh, homegrown ingredients.  He grows the best tasting tomatoes you have never tasted… you cannot buy a tomato like that.  You could knock on his front door and ask for a tomato like that.  Then he would give you a tomato like that.  And you would be the luckiest person in the world.

*Ok, yes, my beautiful oldest niece and my nephew DO now live in the same city as me.  I was trying to make you feel sorry for me.  I apologize.