ABOUT US!

God Save the Queen!  British food has had a bad rap over the years for over cooked roasts, boiled meats, mushy peas, greasy chips and heavy pies.  Over shadowed by it's sophisticated French neighbour....most of what the outside world know of British cuisine is limited to Fish n' Chips and pub grub.  So, it was refreshing to find a cookbook by Jamie Oliver with new twists to traditional recipes and new recipes that reflect today's Britain, a multicultural potpourri of eclectic styles - giving respectability back to honest, yet simple wholesome fare.  

So, why are we doing this? Why not? It's a take-off from the film "Julie & Julia" (Ahem!...yet again...French cuisine is featured).  This blog is about our journey as we learn about each other through cooking - a passion we both share.  With this blog we would like to invite family and friends from across the pond and around the world to be part of our journey.  

Julie & Julia movie trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjvJHsJD8ic&noredirect=1

Let us introduce ourselves......

                                            

Kurt

Kurt - A proud Englishman, born and bred on the south coast.  I didn't eat much as a young child and my staple diet consisted mainly of cereal and Crusha flavoured milk!!  After a few cooking lessons under the guidance of my Mum (and drinking lessons from my Dad!), I left the family nest at age 17 for university.  This is when my interest and exploration into the culinary world (and appreciation of wine) began....I have fond memories cooking with student housemates.  There were more kitchen disasters than successes early on but I graduated 4 years later, fit and healthy and not suffering from malnutrition.....I had reached a level where my cooking was at least edible.

Over the past twenty years or so, England has seen a boon in Asian and Indian foods with chicken tikka masala now the national dish!  I enjoy cooking and eating spicy dishes and the smells produced by the wonderful ingredients, this is where my chief interest lies.  One day I hope to add a post to this blog sharing my experience of a cooking class taken in India!  I'm looking forward to cooking with Valerie, I anticipate having lots of fun and sharing many laughs together.

Valerie

Valerie - I was raised in a large Catholic family with parents who are avid cooks and foodies.  Our love for cooking derives from our even greater appetite for good food and wine.  I am of mixed ancestry of Chinese, Spanish & Malay and I have lived in Manila, Vancouver, Calgary and Johannesburg.  My food influences come from my family where food is the center of all gatherings, places I've traveled and countries I've lived in.  I continue to be curious about the world, explore new cultures and try interesting dishes.  

During my time living in South Africa, I was introduced to both South African English & British home cooking.  From the first time I bit into a slice of hot buttery toast with a thick spread of Marmite - I was intrigued!  Today, some of my favorite comfort foods still come from my college days.  On wet cold nights, a warm bowl of curry still hits the spot and when I'm not feeling well, a big bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese is all the cure I need.  So, I was excited when Kurt and I decided to take on this challenge of cooking through the Jamie Oliver Great Britain cookbook and through the journey continue to learn more about each other.

Isabelle 

Isabelle - Sous chef extraordinaire and junior foodie!  At only 8 & 3/4 years old, Isabelle has shown remarkable resilience to withstand the heat and pressures in the kitchen.  She grates, mixes, whips and even washes up dishes!  Behind every great chef is a reliable and hard working sous chef. Despite her steller performances, she has decided that when she grows up, she wishes to become a teacher or babysitter - anything to do with kids.  I think, it's still early days.  She may just find her way back to the kitchen and pursue a culinary career ;-)

This is our story, of our journey that we share with you!  


We hope you enjoy our blog as much as we enjoy the experience.  


We look forward to looking back a year from now to see how far we have come and remember all the people who have accompanied us through this journey. 


Cheers! 


Kurt + Valerie