About Cooking By J
Just a little bit about myself…
My name is Joan, and I cannot make Jell-O. There, it’s out in the open and I have confessed. I’m sure you are thinking, wow, if she can’t even make Jell-O, how can she cook anything for my family and me? Trust me, I can do that!
I received my Associates Degree in Business from the American Institute of Business in 1987 and my Bachelor’s Degree in Business from William Penn University – College for Working Adults in 1999. After spending almost 20 years in the corporate world, I left to run the office for my husband’s concrete business. Brad and I have been married for 25 years, and have a 13 year old daughter. Many business concepts have interested me over the years, but everything always came back to my love of being in the kitchen and making others happy with my creations.
Having done quantity cooking at my church for several years where I planned, shopped and cooked a meal once a month for 75+ local area senior citizens. (I also had some pretty terrific ladies to help out!) For approximately 7 years, Vacation Bible School brought the challenge of the snack station for 100+ fabulous children for a week! My fellow parishioners have also entrusted me to feed them lunch after they had been out working in the community with Fall Clean up, and I can pull off a surprise party like no other! As you can see, my love for food and creating runs long and deep.
I read cookbooks like other people read novels. I watch cooking shows for inspiration and ideas. The “Notes” app on my phone has shows listed that I want to refer back to, so I don’t forget where I saw that delicious dish that I want to create myself!
Time has been well spent in the kitchen beside some pretty terrific ladies, my Mama Betty, Grandma Hart, Granny Peters, Mother-in-law Sharon and our beloved Granny Staehli.
To expand my love of cooking, I have taken a few cooking classes through the local adult ed workshops. The local culinary department at DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) hosted a night where you could cook with 2 French chefs. I was one of the few folks that had good fortune of attending that workshop. In 2014 brought the opportunity to attend Pie Camp on Whidbey Island, WA, sponsored by Art of the Pie, and the esteemed Kate McDermott.
My happy place is in my kitchen preparing food, and I would love the opportunity to share this love with you.
My name is Joan, and I cannot make Jell-O. There, it’s out in the open and I have confessed. I’m sure you are thinking, wow, if she can’t even make Jell-O, how can she cook anything for my family and me? Trust me, I can do that!
I received my Associates Degree in Business from the American Institute of Business in 1987 and my Bachelor’s Degree in Business from William Penn University – College for Working Adults in 1999. After spending almost 20 years in the corporate world, I left to run the office for my husband’s concrete business. Brad and I have been married for 25 years, and have a 13 year old daughter. Many business concepts have interested me over the years, but everything always came back to my love of being in the kitchen and making others happy with my creations.
Having done quantity cooking at my church for several years where I planned, shopped and cooked a meal once a month for 75+ local area senior citizens. (I also had some pretty terrific ladies to help out!) For approximately 7 years, Vacation Bible School brought the challenge of the snack station for 100+ fabulous children for a week! My fellow parishioners have also entrusted me to feed them lunch after they had been out working in the community with Fall Clean up, and I can pull off a surprise party like no other! As you can see, my love for food and creating runs long and deep.
I read cookbooks like other people read novels. I watch cooking shows for inspiration and ideas. The “Notes” app on my phone has shows listed that I want to refer back to, so I don’t forget where I saw that delicious dish that I want to create myself!
Time has been well spent in the kitchen beside some pretty terrific ladies, my Mama Betty, Grandma Hart, Granny Peters, Mother-in-law Sharon and our beloved Granny Staehli.
To expand my love of cooking, I have taken a few cooking classes through the local adult ed workshops. The local culinary department at DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) hosted a night where you could cook with 2 French chefs. I was one of the few folks that had good fortune of attending that workshop. In 2014 brought the opportunity to attend Pie Camp on Whidbey Island, WA, sponsored by Art of the Pie, and the esteemed Kate McDermott.
My happy place is in my kitchen preparing food, and I would love the opportunity to share this love with you.
