The crazy thing about writing a cookbook is that it’s given me an even deeper appreciate for the efforts of the other cookbook authors smiling down on me from their perch behind my chair. Like most of you (probably all of you), I really love cookbooks and didn’t think it was possible to love them more.
But, after releasing my first cookbook last weekend, I look at the collective effort of just my small collection, and it makes my heart swell. I can’t help but feel that our desire to share our talents and expertise with others is one of the greatest human traits.
So, this week’s question:Whose kitchen would you like to spend an afternoon in? Answer how you like, but I’m mostly thinking of the kitchens of those we may not know personally, but whose work has made us feel connected to them in some way.
Pssst!If you are a food writer with a substack newsletter, did you know that there are guest post and other contribution opportunities available to you here in the FoodStack library? The purpose of the FoodStack library is to help connect food writers on substack with a larger audience. One of the best ways to do that is as a contributor. If that sounds like something you' might be interested in, contact Lynn at foodstacklibrary@gmail.com
I love all three of these answers! And I would also happily head over to Snoop Dog's kitchen and might even bring him a bottle of his own wine, which I actually have in my kitchen at this very moment.
You know what, I am going to say Heston Blumenthal and The Fat Duck. Perhaps less of a kitchen, more of a Willy Wonka style food science experiment. But I think it would be fascinating to watch.
I struggle to bake in other people's kitchen's. I get weirdly nervous and faffy. All my skill and knowledge flies out of the window! Are other people the same? Are you comfortable in other people's kitchens or do you like your own?
I actually enjoy cooking in other people’s kitchens! I’ve done this in both old and new friends’ kitchens with less pressure than I thought there’d be. I’ve also cooked in the kitchens of the clients I house & petsit for and discovered new tools and appliances (like the induction range that scared the bejeezus out of me!)
Yotam Ottolenghi. I recently attended a fireside chat with him here in Toronto and he is warm, funny, down to earth and calming. A close runner up would be Dorie Greenspan for the same reasons 😊.
An afternoon in Dorie's kitchen would be a dream come true. And I love Ottolenghi! I've been a fan of his work for years but recently watched a series that he did on Master Class and it really endeared me to him.
My gran, with my grandad in the garden. The kitchen was tiny with a little Formica table that had folding wings for when people came……but I know that’s not allowed!
I think Lynns kitchen, bit closer to home than Rebecca’s……but I’m sure the RV would make for great time.
Jon Favreau, and his buddy from the Chef programme Roy Choi
Closer to home, a wander round the river cottage with Hugh
One of these days, Alex, we'll meet in the middle and descend on Lynn's kitchen whether she likes it or not. 😉 But also, should you ever find yourself in the states, you'd always be welcome in mine. And I'd go with you on that wander with Hugh. His books are among my all time favorites.
In my friend Annie’s kitchen, now gone. Her use of space, love of cooking, old recipe books and storytelling brought me along as we worked side by side.
Alton Brown! I have attended his live shows and would love to meet him in person. Funny, factual, precise, opinionated, talented and a great cook. It would be an unforgettable afternoon visit.
I would delight in joining most people in their kitchen to be frank. I love learning.
But, if I could …
Yotam Ottolenghi, Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal, Alain Ducasse, Ina Garten, Jamie Oliver, Joe Barza, Roy Choi, Wolfgang Puck, Anne-Sophie Pic, my friend Rosie but, mostly my grandmother (she is no longer with us).
What a great line-up. So many of us mentioned our grandmothers... I too, would love to spend another day in my grandma's kitchen. I think it's just marvelous that so many of us have treasured memories of a grandmother cooking for us.
What a great question! And a difficult one as there are so many I’d love to be with in the kitchen. Of those no longer on earth, I’d say Julia Child because I love her cookbooks (plus, she isn’t shy about having a glass of wine 🍷). As for those still living, Prue Leith of GBBO because she is so knowledgeable and gracious, or Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin Eats who makes everything delicious.
This is a great question.
A. Ina Garten because I bet she smells great, the food would be tasty and we could laugh over giant cosmopolitans.
B. Snoop Dog - weird I know but I bet it would be fun and... smokey?
C. My mom's. She has been dead for almost 20 years, and I would love to see her standing in her robe over the stove, frying chicken once more.
I love all three of these answers! And I would also happily head over to Snoop Dog's kitchen and might even bring him a bottle of his own wine, which I actually have in my kitchen at this very moment.
This woman is my soul sista. ☺️
I know you both and I do believe you're right.
You know what, I am going to say Heston Blumenthal and The Fat Duck. Perhaps less of a kitchen, more of a Willy Wonka style food science experiment. But I think it would be fascinating to watch.
I struggle to bake in other people's kitchen's. I get weirdly nervous and faffy. All my skill and knowledge flies out of the window! Are other people the same? Are you comfortable in other people's kitchens or do you like your own?
I know EXACTLY what you mean. I also get that way in my own kitchen if anyone is watching me.
I prefer my own kitchen! I like to help others in theirs but, I prefer to just do what they ask and stay in my given lane.
I actually enjoy cooking in other people’s kitchens! I’ve done this in both old and new friends’ kitchens with less pressure than I thought there’d be. I’ve also cooked in the kitchens of the clients I house & petsit for and discovered new tools and appliances (like the induction range that scared the bejeezus out of me!)
Amie! You can come cook in my kitchen any time you like!
Yotam Ottolenghi. I recently attended a fireside chat with him here in Toronto and he is warm, funny, down to earth and calming. A close runner up would be Dorie Greenspan for the same reasons 😊.
An afternoon in Dorie's kitchen would be a dream come true. And I love Ottolenghi! I've been a fan of his work for years but recently watched a series that he did on Master Class and it really endeared me to him.
My gran, with my grandad in the garden. The kitchen was tiny with a little Formica table that had folding wings for when people came……but I know that’s not allowed!
I think Lynns kitchen, bit closer to home than Rebecca’s……but I’m sure the RV would make for great time.
Jon Favreau, and his buddy from the Chef programme Roy Choi
Closer to home, a wander round the river cottage with Hugh
One of these days, Alex, we'll meet in the middle and descend on Lynn's kitchen whether she likes it or not. 😉 But also, should you ever find yourself in the states, you'd always be welcome in mine. And I'd go with you on that wander with Hugh. His books are among my all time favorites.
I could resurrect the ‘Secret Tea Room’ for a day. 🙂
The Secret Tea Room! I second that, yes please!
Yes, please!
Yours! 🤩
with Martha, Snoop, my incredibly religious and delightful grandmother (now passed) and Julia, all in one sublime and eccentric experience.... 😂😆 🍸
You wouldn't be able to keep me away from that dinner party. What a blast.
In my friend Annie’s kitchen, now gone. Her use of space, love of cooking, old recipe books and storytelling brought me along as we worked side by side.
Nadiya Hussain's. Her calm and welcoming spirit whether baking or cooking makes you just want to sit at her table and fellowship.
I love Nadiya, and her kitchen is beautiful!
Alton Brown! I have attended his live shows and would love to meet him in person. Funny, factual, precise, opinionated, talented and a great cook. It would be an unforgettable afternoon visit.
Yes! I hadn't even thought of Alton Brown, but that would be a blast!
I would delight in joining most people in their kitchen to be frank. I love learning.
But, if I could …
Yotam Ottolenghi, Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal, Alain Ducasse, Ina Garten, Jamie Oliver, Joe Barza, Roy Choi, Wolfgang Puck, Anne-Sophie Pic, my friend Rosie but, mostly my grandmother (she is no longer with us).
What a great line-up. So many of us mentioned our grandmothers... I too, would love to spend another day in my grandma's kitchen. I think it's just marvelous that so many of us have treasured memories of a grandmother cooking for us.
Fond memories all around food. Now that I am older I understand the value of passing down recipes.
What a great question! And a difficult one as there are so many I’d love to be with in the kitchen. Of those no longer on earth, I’d say Julia Child because I love her cookbooks (plus, she isn’t shy about having a glass of wine 🍷). As for those still living, Prue Leith of GBBO because she is so knowledgeable and gracious, or Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin Eats who makes everything delicious.
Yes to all of those! I hadn't thought about Prue! She'd be a kick! And I love Nagi - what an inspiration she is!
Yes, I feel like Prue is one of those friends that you can text on a Friday, “Want to go with us for a girls weekend in London?” and she’d be down!