More About Giselle
Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you stay a while.
I’ve always loved making things since I was a kid. My first love and major in college was art and art history. When I received my first box of crayons and paint, I was hooked on the possibilities of color and form. I followed my mom’s footsteps in gardening, decorating and crafts. Food soon became an extension of that and I would use it to paint on a new canvas, the plate. Creating my own recipes and experimenting became my new hobby. That’s where Artist in Residence comes into play. I will be your culinary curator for all things delicious and beautiful for everyday meals and inspiration for those special occasions.
I’m a self taught cook whose skills and knowledge of ingredients have been honed by cooking yummy food during my days doing Craft Service and food styling for tv, video and movie sets and taking it to new heights after working with chefs in high end restaurants and markets. You may remember me from an episode of “Grillin’ With Bobby Flay” on the Food Network where we cooked side by side making my winning “3 Way Onion Burger” recipe and sides. See it here. There I learned that planning, organizing, and prepping goes a long way and greatly improved the flavor profiles in my food. I love trying new ingredients and artisanal products to spice up the old and create something new with them. I also cook for my boyfriend who is a vegetarian so you will see those recipes and adaptations here as well.
This blog is about achieving more from your recipes and your kitchen. Upgrading your pantry to create the most delicious meals and organizing tips for your kitchen that will give you more time to enjoy life with a some guidance and great tips and tools. Some great southern and creole favorites are peppered throughout this blog. Some from my family and others from close friends and southern traditions. Yes, I do have a killer recipe for Seafood Gumbo!
Since my use of color, art and food go hand in hand, you will occasionally see some cool DIY projects here and “10 Things I’m Loving” list each week that fuel and influence my lifestyle and this blog of course.
Learn all about blogging here!
Things I love to eat: sweet potatoes in any form, seafood gumbo, cheeseburger and fries, thin crust pizza, breakfast sandwiches, garlic mashed potatoes, chicken pot pie, spaghetti carbonara, and ice-cream. See a pattern here. I also love most veggies and healthy food too.
I hope you will stick with me through this journey of discovery through cooking, experimenting, and organizing, and have some fun along the way!
Growing up in Northern California, my background was a blend of town and country. I was in grade school when my family moved from the city of Oakland, California to the countryside of Vacaville a little further south next to the famous Napa Valley wine country. My parents southern Creole roots kept hold as they created an oasis for us that included farm animals, small orchards, and a big garden growing everything from collard greens to sugar cane. I didn’t know how important organic was then, but feel grateful for it now.
My parents were both from the south, Louisiana and Arkansas respectively. I grew up on fresh seasonal southern food and what couldn’t be eaten right away was given to family and friends or put up for preserves and canning. Although not out of necessity, my mother did this because that’s what her people did and I hope to continue doing so, although late it may be.
Over the years of cooking, experimenting, and eating at great places, I still come back to my family recipes time and time again. Maybe its the nostalgia thing, or the southern comfort food thing, but whatever the reason they are all just crazy good and will always be in my repertoire.
Cooking for a vegetarian has given me an even more appreciation for vegetables. I stopped getting in the rut of just steaming and sautéing and not thinking of them as a side dish, but also the star of the show. Seasonal cooking and finding beautiful fresh produce is the foundation for unforgettable vegetarian dishes.
Like a lot of people I view food as many things: Nourishment, Indulgence, Reward, Comfort, and a showing of my love for family and friends. Different dishes bring up different feelings and we are drawn to specific foods. Whatever your reason or occasion, I know that you will find some new favs here that will create new memories ahead.
So grab your favorite beverage ( mine will be a hazelnut flat white with extra foam ), sit down for a while and start planing your next food adventure!
Giselle Raymond
Culinary Curator
2018