Calling All Foodies!

Hello and welcome to my new foodie blog! I can't say that I would have taken time to share the culinary experiences that sparked my love of everything food if it were not for this New Media Production course, but I'm excited about sharing them now. My purpose is to communicate my passion for all things food. Dictionary.com defines a foodie as "a person keenly interested in food, especially in eating or cooking." While I consider myself a foodie, my blog will not narrowly focus on my favorite foods and recipes. It will delve into a variety of discussions with the hope that you (foodie or not) will be inspired to explore new adventures that may prompt a whole new appreciation for food. I will also share anecdotes about my culinary journey. The predominant goal in all of this dialogue is to simply have tons of fun!

About Me

I was born in south Louisiana where creole and Cajun cuisine reign and are central to the culture. Where I'm from, we not only eat to live, but we live to eat and take great pride in what we serve family and friends for holidays and special events. I come from a family of good cooks. My mother was an outstanding cook who prepared many memorable meals, but she shined during holiday time by cooking big Thanksgiving dinners and making world-famous pecan pralines at Christmas time. My mother’s older sister was a foodie who loved to cook gourmet food and garnered inspiration from the famed French chef, Julia Child. Another dear aunt was a restaurateur who specialized in creole cuisine. Growing up with all of this influence motivated me to become a foodie, and I love it! I have had some great experiences with food over the years that I want to share in this blog, and I hope to build a legion of foodies who are willing to share their adventures, too!

Featured Blog Topics

50-year old aluminum dutch oven
handed down by my aunt

Home Cooking - Discussions on home cooking will cover family traditions and recipes as  well as new twists on those traditions. In addition, home cooking explores cookware and utensils, including heirlooms! Does your love of family shine through in the meals you prepare for them?  Do you get a wonderful sense of satisfaction after you’ve cooked a delicious meal and everyone tells you what a good job you did?  I know I do. Here is where followers can share those innermost thoughts and feelings that may not surface during a typical food conversation.  We will also share special childhood memories, trivia, quick tips, cookware and utensil selection, favorite recipes, and family traditions.


Restaurant dining room

Restaurant Dining - Almost everyone has a favorite restaurant, and my blog will include lots of discussion centered on dining out--tips for dining on a budget, selecting eateries off the beaten path, upscale dining, entree recommendations, establishments with great service, most memorable restaurant dining experiences, and the value of customer reviews. I rely on restaurant reviews, especially when considering a new restaurant. Blog participants are welcome to post information about their restaurant experiences.

My spice rack built
in the pantry door

Flavor Exploration - One of the most exciting journeys that pack a lot of adventure--and one of my favorites--is what I call flavor exploration! Experimenting with a variety of herbs and spices and condiments can broaden your taste horizons to unimagined heights. I used to confine herbs and spices to certain types of cuisine, i.e., sesame seeds and ginger go with Chinese fare and oregano was used with Italian food. As I try new recipes and develop my own concoctions, I quickly found this to be a fun outlet for culinary creativity. Flavor exploration can tantalize your taste buds and motivate you to try more flavorings in unorthodox ways. This segment will give followers an outlet to learn about new possibilities and to share their new discoveries!



Food Network logo

Media Inspirations - When I began cooking as a young girl and wanted to learn how to cook a new dish, the cookbook and the local newspaper were my primary sources for recipes. These days digital and television media are flooded with all things food. One of my favorite sources for information is the Food Network. I've been a huge fan since it stormed the airwaves about 20 years ago. Not only does the network offer an abundance of shows that showcase new recipes, cooking techniques, and food trivia, the comprehensive Food Network website can be likened to an online food encyclopedia where infinite culinary discoveries abound. Followers are encouraged to share their favorite sources with the blog community. These discussions will surely open doors to new knowledge and experiences.




Gourmet grocery store

Gourmet Shopping Excursions – Shopping for new foods and gadgets—what a blast!  Here is an area where foodies can really venture out and try new and exciting products.  I love shopping at gourmet grocery stores and specialty shops. A few of them allow you to taste products before you buy, giving you an opportunity sample before spending money on an item.  In addition to shopping for food items, I have a lot of fun shopping for cookware and unique utensils. So this blog will be a forum for participants to share information on special tasting events, store openings, and the like.