After graduation, I started my PR career at an advertising/PR firm, Archer/Malmo, in Memphis. Two years later, after a move to Wichita, KS, I landed a PR position at Sullivan, Higdon & Sink. The last agency I worked for was Witherspoon in Fort Worth, where I served as Public Relations Director for four years. I was fortunate enough to win the account of Central Market when they moved up to North Texas. Eleven years later, they are still my client and have helped shape my love and appreciation for food. (You'll probably notice in a lot of my recipes that I'm a little biased to shopping at Central Market. Nothing in town can top it).
I consider myself a Southern girl through and through. I get my love of food honestly, and of course Southern food is my favorite. I grew up in a family where everyone cooked ... all the time. My grandmother was the quintessential Southern cook. Hands down she made the best fried chicken and homemade biscuits that I have ever tasted. Her specialty, though, was pound cake. She always had a pound cake waiting for me when we arrived. Even if it was a tiny piece wrapped in foil that she had saved especially for me, she knew it was my favorite. We'd butter it up and put it in the toaster oven for a little late-night snack after our drive.
My mom practically cooked three meals a day -- or at least that's what my memory serves. She was great about trying new things but always making our favorites too. I still make some of the dinners that I remember from growing up.
I have to give credit to my aunts too. They are all some of the best home cooks I know. My Aunt Carol recently sent a copy of her own self-published book of favorite recipes. What a gift! I can't wait to use it.
It's part of our Southern heritage to make meals a special part of the day. It's something to look forward to, and a time to gather, savor and enjoy. The running joke in our family is after we finish one meal we're all asking what we're going to have for the next. I hope this blog serves as a resource to look up and share some of all of our favorite dishes.
