My name is Lauren. Though I never went on to culinary school, I did join a cooking club in middle school. I guess you could say I was home-schooled in culinary arts. I started out on the kitchen floor in the suburbs of Jersey watching my mother cook simple Italian-American meals every day and night. I could knead a loaf of bread, scramble eggs and stir a boiling pot before I could do basic math. By the time we moved to New York, cooking had become quality bonding-time with my mom. She enjoyed having me on a chair, later standing next to her, the way she had been with my Grandma back in 1960’s Cohoes. She passed on her secrets and continues to show me the old family favorites to this day, even though I’ve far out-grown the need for a chair. Now, I act as her second in command, including our annual cookie party and holiday treats. Now that I’m a fully graduated owner of a bachelor’s degree in communications looking to become a grant writer, I enjoy cooking competition shows and being taken around town by my sweetheart, Jeremy. It wasn’t until I met him that going out to restaurants became more than a miraculous treat. It really opened my eyes to international tastes like Japanese miso soup, Vietnamese pho and Greek dolmas. He and I were sampling an Indian stand when the idea of our blog came to be. As much as I’ve learned around the house, I’m more than happy to expand my horizons, and share our discoveries on our epic cooking adventure with Jeremy at my side. Doesn’t that sound delicious?
Where do I begin? The name is Jeremy. I am a Ph.D. candidate working in physics, and while I enjoy working on my research, I also really enjoy cooking and dancing with my darling angel, Lauren. It all started for me when I graduated from undergrad. I was living on my own for the first time, and no one was around to cook for me; and man did I stink at it! I remember the first time I tried to cook chicken in a skillet. It came out burnt on the outside and raw inside. Funny enough, when trying to find work to support myself, I ended up landing a position as a pizza cook; and it was fun for a while. My friends really enjoyed this one I’d make on occasion – sautéed shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta, with a pesto base, simple but good. Since then, my interest in cooking gradually grew, as did my ability. When I moved to China and had to cook for myself once again, it became more of a chore than fun, and I would find myself going through the motions every week. Finally when I moved back home and started my PhD work, I met my darling angel and found my passion for cooking again. She has opened my eyes to what good home cooking is. Every minute together with her is magical, and boy can she work wonders in the kitchen. I never leave her house hungry. I always look forward to the times when we can cook together, even if it ends up being a flop. I love her so much, and I look forward to learning more about cooking together with my inamorata!