For this Saturday's post, I thought I'd take a moment to share with you who has had an impact on me and my cooking ways. You see, though I have always loved food, I haven't always loved to cook.
Let's start at the beginning...
My Mom
Growing up, both my parents worked late into the night, so dinner was always a hectic, last minute, defrost-and-put-together some sort of meal kinda thing. Cooking duties usually fell upon my mom, though my dad was the one to call for fruit salads. The best lesson I learned from my mom was something her mom (my grandmother) taught her: the secret to good flavor is to brown the meat well. Believe it or not, I still think about this "secret" every time I cook meat. It's so very true. I also developed from my mom a basis for understanding how to cook, as I watched her prepare meals without using a recipe. I still incorporate several of the meals my mom made into my cooking today, especially spaghetti and corned beef and cabbage -- though with my own changes, of course.
Dustin
When I met Dustin in high school, I didn't cook all that much. Dustin, on the other hand, loved to cook -- something he learned from his dad. Dustin taught me to have fun with cooking. He also showed me how to plan meals -- something at which my family was not very good. Dustin, who followed recipes to the "T," introduced me to a whole new world of food, like beef stroganoff, chicken cordon bleu and fried chicken. He would try out new recipes that sounded good to him and wasn't afraid to make new things. He also taught me that it's not worth eating if it isn't tasty. Now, he may take this to extremes sometimes with his picky eating, but it is a good lesson, nonetheless. I loved -- and still do -- to watch him entertain with his food. If there's a party, Dustin wants to be in charge of the food. He is happy when everyone is fed and content. My kinda guy.
Food Network
Then came the Food Network into life. I met -- and fell in love with -- Alton, Giada and, of course, Ina.
Alton Brown
Alton taught me the science behind food. He gave food a formula for how to be good and demonstrated a passion and education for food I hadn't seen before. Dustin and I started watching Good Eats right around the time we remodeled our home and installed a new kitchen, so we really got into trying Alton's recipes out in our fancy schmancy kitchen.
Giada de Laurentiis
Giada really put a face on Italian food and cooking for me. Before her, I loved Italian restaurants and made spaghetti and alfredos all the time, but she taught me how to make them well. Giada also taught me that Italian food is more than just marinara and alfredo -- it has its own heart and soul that should be showcased through fresh and delicious ingredients.
Ina Garten
Ina taught me how easy it can be to make great food. She taught me to focus on fresh, good quality ingredients when I cook so that my food comes out tasting delicious. She doesn't sacrifice flavor or quality for price. Now, this can get pricey at times, but she has a great point. I always have her in my head when shopping for groceries. She also taught me it's okay to pursue your passion and to be the best you can be. She gave up a career with the government to run her own bakery without a lick of experience. And, look where she is today? I really can't say enough about Ina. She's so wonderful and has made such an impact on my life.
Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman)
Ad then there was Ree. I started following food blogs not too long ago when I was creating my personal chef business. Ree has, by far, been the most influential blogger for me, both as a business woman, a cook and a mother. I watch her and am in awe of how great a job she does at creating her brand, providing good recipes, opening herself and her family to the world and making you feel like you know her. Her openness and love for family spoke right to me and made me more open to sharing my life with my readers. Plus, I love how she provides assistance with photography as well.
There you have it. Invariably, others have impacted my life in other important, remarkable and significant ways, but this list is of those who hold a special place in my heart for helping me to pursue my own passion for food and for, well, love.
Who has impacted your (food) life for the better?
Enjoy!
alma barron
Thanks for sharing all your great recipes Lacey!! All your pictures are so beautiful. Not only are you a great chef, you're a great photographer as well.
Let me know if you ever need advice, and/or tips about Mexican food. My mom is a great cook and I've learned so much from her.
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Thank you so much for your kind words, Alma! Thanks also for the help -- I'll definitely keep you in mind 🙂
Hannah
I have just discovered your blog and absolutely love it! I see a lot of parallels between your life and mine. While I am studying English and Creative writing currently, I secretly have a passion for food. Giada, Alton, and Ina were my first inspirations when I began watching the foodnetwork several years ago. My grandmother was my other biggest inspiration. I really appreciate your cheeky and clever writing style, as well as your deliciously simple recipes. I also love how family oriented you are. Thanks for giving me inspiration to follow my dream!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hi Hannah! English + Creative Writing + Passion for Food = You should start a food blog! 😉
I am SO glad to have inspired you! I can't tell you how awesome that is for me to hear. Good luck with your studies!!
delicieux
Great post!! It's interesting learning everyone's inspirations.
I love Ina too. I've only recently discovered her though and I am kicking myself I didn't find her earlier. She has such a great attitude towards cooking and is so laid back and relaxed.
I also like Giada too and have one of her cookbooks.
As far as Alton Brown goes, I've seen him as the host on Iron Chef America, but haven't paid him anymore attention than that. I will have to investigate!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Thank you! I really recommend checking out Good Eats with Alton Brown. You won't believe how different he is on his own show. It's really like night and day. Thanks for sharing! It's always nice to hear from you 🙂
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
I'd have to say that the biggest influence is my mom. She's 81 years old but still cooks dinner every evening for half of the neighborhood. When I was growing up, nearly everything we ate was what she prepared from the farm or the garden, and it was good hearty food. My mom still cans, freezes and makes jams and jellies to share with anyone who needs some. I still call my mom whenever I need cooking advice!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hi Betty! Wow, can I call your mom, too?? 🙂 She sounds great! She sounds like she taught you some very valuable lessons. Very neat.
NanaBread
My mother was my biggest influence. She was a master at feeding a family of 7 on a shoestring budget. I learned how to make a few ingredients into something spectacular and how to get the most "bang for your buck" when budgeting for groceries. Because she loved to garden and can, I also learned the art of homemade jellies, jams, preserves, pickles, tomatoes, salsas, etc. That comes in handy. She taught me that frugal can still be fabulous, and that homemade meals are always better than restaurant meals if you're doing it right. Thanks, Mom!
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Your mother sounds amazing. I have such respect for people who feed such large families with great food -- and on a budget! I've never really gotten into canning, but have always wanted to. Thanks so much for sharing!
Tara
Both of my grandmothers, in different ways...
My Mom's mom is a 'throw it in a pot' kind of cook. You could go to her house any time and she could serve an instant feast. My Dad's mom is the most remarkable cook. I look forward to meals at her house because everything tastes so amazing.
I have definitely been influenced by FoodNetwork chefs...especially Giada. I am positive I was Italian in a previous life. lol And I have definitely been influenced by a large number of food bloggers. I love the connection to people who love food as much as I do.
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hi Tara! How wonderful that you have two wonderful grandmothers who taught you how to cook. They both sound so sweet. I agree with you: I think I must have been an Italian in a previous life, too! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing!
Charlotte
I LOVE the Pioneer Woman too! I normally don't buy hard copies of books anymore (I have a Kindle) but when her cookbook came out I had to have it. I wanted to support her too because of how much joy she has given me through sharing her blog. She's an awesome woman.
Just recently found your blog and can't wait to start trying some of your recipes! Trying your shredded chicken enchiladas this week. (Oh, I'm in San Diego too.)
lacey - a sweet pea chef
Hi Charlotte! So glad you found my blog :). I hope you like the enchiladas!