Hello
As a mother and having a passion for food, I know first-hand that there is an important connection between the two. Creating meals with love has been something that has been passed down to me by my grandmothers. The beauty of food is that it is a universal language and is connected with so many memories. I love to empower families to cook together, explore their own culinary talents, and make new recipes together.
​
I am currently working on my bachelors in English and have an associate degree in Digital Photography. Along with creating recipes, I also love documenting the process. I take photos along with way, using the photographs as a nice visual reference to the recipes themselves (who doesn’t love a good food picture!).
My inspirations range from family, local farmers, and a big one (my kids!). Frequent visits at our farmer's market (Canal Street Marketplace) allow me to connect with farmers on a weekly to incorporate in season harvests in my recipes. Living in Upstate New York has a lot of options!
​
My passion for food has also landed some of my recipes in publications in Gooseberry Patch cookbooks and I have a self-published a cookbook of my own (with another in the works).
My Story
As a child, food was connected to memories. My grandmothers made sure of it. Summers tasted like watermelon, clam bakes, dad's hamburgers, iced tea, and white cheddar Cheez-itz in a paper cup at the beach. Fall tasted like crockpot stew, apple cider, grandma's meat dressing, and kielbasa. Winter tasted like grandma's chicken soup, cheesecake, hot cocoa, and mac n' cheese. Spring tasted like deviled eggs, bunny cake, lemonade, and stir fry. I am sure if everyone closed their eyes and thought about a season and food... it would spark a memory of some sort. This is what I want to unlock. Food is not just for fueling your body, but it should feed the mind and the soul, as well. That also means thinking about the kind of ingredients we use when we cook.
​
My grandmothers were my ultimate inspiration to start my food journey. They were the tradition keepers and the memory makers. They used their love to bind the family and instill connections. So perhaps they have inspired more than just the love of food. As a mother, I respect them even more, for everything that they have done and appreciate the dedication they had for us, even when we may have been too young to realize.
​
Time goes so fast, and if you don't slow down, you'll miss it. My kiddos are teenagers now, and I still can't get over how big they are. They are my second layer to my inspiration. Being able to make meals and cook with love and intention for little beings I created, was a big deal. It was then my turn to be my own tradition keeper and memory maker.
I encourage you to take some extra time and have your kiddos help you in the kitchen. Doesn't have to be a lot, can be even a few minutes of help. While growing up, my grandmothers were more of a solo show... I like having the kiddos participate in some part of that process. You are bonding. You are cultivating culinary skills to them. You are giving them an understanding of how a meal is prepared and the appreciation of making something for your family. It can be fun and educational at the same time. Remember: Life is messy... and that's ok. That's how the best memories are made in the kitchen, with both family and friends.
​
​
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.