Ugh what do I even write in this section!?! I mean obviously I have a love of cooking and trying new foods. Obviously I love to write about my trials and errors and of course my successes in the kitchen and any other interesting food facts I learn.
But ok seriously, I guess I will tell you a little about me. My name is Heather. I am a Texas Gal- not born, but raised. My earliest cooking memories are from my childhood and involve sugar cookies. For as long as I can remember we have baked sugar cookies for every holiday and spent hours decorating them. Not just for Christmas but also Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July, St. Patrick’s Day…… you get the point. We made pounds and pounds of buttercream icing (in every color- even black), and bought millions and millions of holiday themed sprinkles. We took our sugar cookie baking very seriously- never missing a holiday (sometimes even making our traditional cookies the day after the holiday).
As I grew older I started making dinner for my family. My family became my “taste testers,” whether they liked it or not. There was many a times when my younger siblings would ask the infamous question “What’s for dinner?”. I would respond “It’s a surprise!” knowing full well how picky of eaters they were. My siblings would go running to my mom upset that dinner was not going to be “something they liked” or to try and see if my mom knew what I was making. My mom would always respond “We are just having one of Heather’s Concoctions”.
Today, I am still “Concocting” things in the kitchen; but now it is not only my family who is trying it, but my husband (Eric), his family and our friends. Early in our relationship, my husband at times would question my recipes or “kitchen concoctions”. Sometimes he would absolutely LOVE the things I made and would rant and rave about it for weeks; and other times he would complain and not eat it at all. But now, he has opened his mind and eats pretty much anything and everything I make and is my biggest fan and supporter.
The reason I started this blog is because I have always dreamt about being a food writer. Either being a food critic, or writing articles about food and it’s history, or writing cookbooks. Because of this dream I pursued a degree in culinary arts (because of this everyone thinks that means I am officially a ‘chef’, but I just blush and say that I am still learning). I have years (years!) of experience working in the food and beverage industry, (rough job but someone has to do it), and have worked as a chef, bartender, cater, culinary instructor, server and manager.
And even with my education and work experience I am no food snob. I am not ashamed to admit I am a hoarder when it comes to cookbooks and sometimes I even make things the ‘semi-homemade’ way using premade sauces, cake mixes, etc. Does this make me un-chefy? I say no, as I feel like food should be approachable, no matter your palate, cooking skill level or time.
But food fascinates me! I am constantly writing and re-writing recipes. I am constantly trying new foods and I love to try new restaurants. I watch every cooking show (and I mean EVERY) and I am always reading books and magazines on food and restaurants. I am slowly learning this thing called ‘food staging’ and ‘food photography’… so please don’t judge my pics too harshly! And this blogging thing who knows if I will ever fully get all the things that it evolves.
But blogging excites me… it allows little, smartalec, ME to be a food writer and recipe developer. It allows me to share my passions, as well as stories and adventures of my life here in Texas. Here on Kitchen Concoctions you’ll find not only a variety of family friendly recipes, but recipes inspired by my rich southern roots, as well as cooking tips and tricks. You’ll also find “crafty concoctions,” since I love to craft and many of these projects take place at my kitchen table, occasional fitness posts (since I believe in a well balanced life) and travel adventures, because if I could do anything for the rest of my life it would be that.
I hope you’ll follow along for the ride and are inspired to get in the kitchen!