With the first hint of fall (also known as the end of hurricane season here in Florida), I begin the ritual of rummaging through my stash of cookbooks in search of the perfect recipe to amaze and delight my family. And just like every year before that, I search bookmarks and narrow the choices to…
Author: Angela Johnson
Angela is a Pastry chef , Wife, and "Momther" of 3 gifted talented kids ( ages 15-21) She attended The University of Mississippi, Oxford and graduated from University of West Florida with a degree in Theatre Arts. She worked briefly for Walt Disney World in costuming as a wardrobe mistress for several shows throughout the parks. Chef Angela has worked in every capacity in restaurants and hotels in the service industry ,from dishwasher/steward to waitress and Chef de partie ( Boulanger, Patissier, Garde manger) Even as a youngster she spent time in professional kitchens with her Grandparents and Great Aunt. Learning her trade as Pastry chef after college by starting as an apprentice for a group of French Nationals at a French bakery, pastry shop and cafe ( Napoleon Bakery; which she later purchased and ran as Chef/Owner) Most recently, she worked as a Executive Pastry Chef becoming a Corporately Certified Hilton Trainer/Facilitator, and Certified Food Handler Trainer. She enjoys road trips and travel, reading, singing in the local Choral Society Chorus, and spending time with her family and kitties.
The Beacon
As Spring bursts into full bloom and the weather warms and schools all over are drawing close to the end of the semester, I am reminded of my college days in Oxford Mississippi (Home of The University of Mississippi “Hotty Toddy!”) Spring was my favorite time of year there, the blooming dogwood and magnolia trees,…
When Life Hands You Lemons…
2019 is now in full swing. High hopes for the fall season of 2018 were dashed quickly when my appliances decided to stage a rebellion. One by one they gave up the ghost. The dishwasher decided to be finicky and I thought, “No biggie, we can just wash by hand until we can get it…
Southern Fried
For those of you who are not from the South, it is time to introduce you to the term Southern Fried. Here in the south, it is more than just a way to cook chicken; it is a way of life. It is a powerful adjective down here. It means either being dredged in egg,…
A Recipe for Happiness
The older I become, the faster time seems to move. When I was a child, the days I spent by my Mom’s side in the kitchen canning and preparing food from our garden seemed endless, as if they would never run out. As an adult the time with my children by my side preparing dinner…
The Smoothie Generation
Having recently celebrated Mother’s day I can not think of a better time to get this engine rolling. It has been a long time in the making and, I am both excited and pensive about this blogging journey. This past mother’s day was the first one I have been home with my kids — now…
Slurping Noodles With Tony Bourdain
I can not recall how exactly I came to know about Anthony Bourdain. Perhaps it was one of his TV travel shows… or maybe it was from a fellow chef who recommended I read one of his books? Regardless, I admit that for some time while I was deepest in the weeds of my chef…
The Golden Thread
For me It was my Nana Russo… my Great Grandmother. I can not recall the sound of her voice at all. But I recall she was very reserved and quiet. She had a heart attack when I was about 7 and not long after she was confined to a wheel chair, she passed away. Most…