I grew up watching icons like Ina Garten, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay make magic in the kitchen, picking up tips and recipes along the way.
Oliver’s one pan pasta bake was a lifesaver during grad school, and I still faithfully recreate Ramsay’s roast turkey with lemon, parsley, garlic, butter and bacon each Thanksgiving. I’ve always felt like watching someone cook is a great way to get to know them, and maybe even learn a new dish that will become part of your life’s story.
When News 15 reporter Al Hebert contacted me about appearing on his “Monday Mangé” cooking segment with The Frosted Apron’s Stacey Dempsey, I felt nervous, but knew that I would be in good hands. Dempsey teaches classes and writes books that help kids get comfortable in the kitchen, and Hebert has spent decades highlighting Acadiana’s food, culture and people on the news, and as Louisiana’s “Gas Station Gourmet” — covering the best of gas station cooking in southwest Louisiana and across the nation.
With their help, I was ready to make the leap onto the small screen — but needed the right recipe…