Meet the Chef

I thought it would be interesting and fun to do a small Q&A about the face behind the blog - ME!

When did you start baking/How did you get interested in baking?

I got interested in baking from a young age because of my mom who loves to bake and has a HUGE sweet tooth (as do I). When I was in first grade, I used to make brownies and sell them at a bake sale on the corner of my street. Since then I have loved to bake. By 6th grade, I had memorized the recipe to make chocolate chip cookies (which have now become one of my signature dishes).

Do you consider yourself more of a baker or a chef? 

I think I consider myself more of a baker. I started out as a baker but as I have tried to develop a healthy lifestyle, I rarely bake. But not because I don't like baking - I just want to be healthy and eating chocolate chip cookies every week is not considered healthy living unfortunately. But I do like cooking - it is always exciting to try something new like making risotto or your first 4 layer cake for the first time.

What's your favorite food?

People are always surprised when I say this but I have an obsession with cauliflower. Roasted cauliflower is my favorite (some people might call it burnt cauliflower). I have tried all kinds of cauliflower and they are just delicious!

What's your favorite thing to bake or cook? 

This one is a toughy. I would say my favorite thing to bake is a four layer peanut butter and chocolate cake. It has two layers of reeses pieces cheesecake and two layers of chocolate cake. In between each layer is some caramel and salted nuts. On the top is peanut butter frosting and chocolate ganache. I like this cake because it is a very challenging cake to make and I love a challenge. It was actually the first cake that I made entirely from scratch - I made it for my friend's birthday party and it was a hit!

Overall, I just like to make new and challenging things. When my friends have birthdays coming up they just tell me what they want such as a cake with peanut butter and chocolate. Then I get to decide what exactly I will make.

What's your favorite restaurant?

My favorite restaurant hands down is Rio Grill. They have this amazing balsamic artichoke. The heart and stem are so tender - it's amazing. And they give you free bread - what's not to love?! Rio makes a tasty margarita (called a Rio rita) as well. For an entree, my favorite dish is the half-smoked chicken with broccolini. It comes with this chili butter sauce that is just to die for. It is creamy yet slightly spicy but oh so tasty.

Rio leaves you feeling full but at the same time wanting to (finish the last piece of bread) shove more food in your mouth. I go there practically once a week and get the same thing everytime and it is always satisfying.

Would you ever consider baking as a career?

I would consider it as a side career but not as a full time job. Baking has always been a fun outlet for me and that could change if I had to do it as a career.