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Mmm...reading!

  • Bob Spitz: THE SAUCIER'S APPRENTICE
    A good read, with some interesting recipes you'll want to try.
  • Daniel Boulud: LETTERS TO A YOUNG CHEF
    A peak into the kitchen and studying culinary arts. I read this while thinking about attending Le Cordon Bleu in Ottawa. (I may do this someday)
  • George Monbiot: HEAT
    This guy is about social change that will change the planet! Everything is connected, foodies can't remove themselves from the problem of global warming. Pay attention to chapter 10 to learn about the cost of out of season foods, grocery stores and food warehouses.
  • Giuliano Bugialli: THE FINE ART OF ITALIAN COOKING
    I bought this book in Rome in 2005. It has great notes on Italian and French food history and many original recipes.
  • Michael Pollan: THE OMINIVORE'S DILEMMA
    Very interesting and well written book. It will change the way you see your food. I loved the part about sustainable farming.
  • Peggy Post: EMILY POST'S ETIQUETTE
    This book has everything from how to propose a toast, set a table, eat different foods and write dinner party invitations. This was a great birthday gift a few years ago. Thanks mom!

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One-Line Bio

I am passionate about everything food but also have food allergies....are there nuts in this?

Biography

Two years into a biology degree (secondary education option) at Ball State University, in Indiana, I had a change of heart. I was panicked, as most adolescents are when they are made to decide what to do with their lives. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a teacher. I was sure however that teaching would allow me the time to do the things I love; grocery shopping, going to farmer's markets, cooking and entertaining for my friends and family, and eating out at restaurants. Was I in it only for the summers off? One day while sitting in the front row of organic chemistry, I started brainstorming creative ways to stuff crepes. My notes that day were as much about alkane nomenclature as they were recipe ideas. A quarter-life crisis ensued. I had to do something!

I went through every single class description on the university website with a fine tooth comb. Finally, I decided to meet with a counsellor in the Family and Consumer Sciences department. I made the switch to Hospitality and Food Management later that week. (Thank you Ms. Foster and Chef Altman)

Since graduation I’ve had several internships and jobs. I am now a manager in the food and beverage department of a hotel in downtown Toronto. I love to facilitate the feeding of people and I’m lucky to be able to do that everyday.

I have an interesting dilemma though; food is the love of my life and conversely, my most dangerous enemy. I have anaphylaxis and am allergic to nuts, peanuts, seafood and fish. I want to share my food adventures with the world, slash those who stumble upon my blog, because I think my dilemma has possibly become the dilemma of many, whether it is you yourself, a friend, co-worker, or your child that has allergies. I went to university in the States to be a hurdler on Ball U’s track team….insert witty metaphors for life here __________! But really, the constant challenge of eating and working with food safely, makes it all the more interesting and enjoyable.