About Andrea
Hello!
I’m so glad you’re here for a visit. Kick your shoes off and stay a while.
Here’s the thing: I believe if you love to eat (and who doesn’t?), you can cook. Just ask my two sons, who have been forced to pitch in on family meals since they were old enough to see over the counter. There’s no kitchen skill you can’t learn—seriously. But you do have to try!
My self-ascribed mandate is to get people in the kitchen, and to pass on what I know (a knowledge bank that grows every day) to everyone who catches me here on my site, on TV, on the radio and on social media, or to those who work with me on the client side of my business. I’ve said it a million times: To live well, you must eat well. So I’m here to help you do just that
– Andrea Buckett
My 2 Biggest Critics
As a working mom I’m not immune to the frustrations of meal time prep. In fact, because I cook for a living my family has high expectations for every meal. My two boys and husband are budding food critics, “this isn’t spicy enough”, “this pasta is over-cooked” “your stew tastes like cat food” – for real I’ve heard it all. My in-house food critics are harsh (which works to your advantage) ensuring that every recipe I share with you is as easy to make as it is delicious to eat.
My Cooking Styles
My Inspiration
At the age of five I was eating blue cheese and craving my parents entertaining specialties, French onion soup, escargots and veal parmigiana.
Growing up in an amazing city like Toronto, meant I was lucky to have many diverse cuisines at my fingertips. Exploring the flavours of my city captured my imagination and spurred me to re-create some of those recipes in my own kitchen. To this day my travel itinerary is always full of grocery store visits and must try restaurant spots.
Cooking fuels my creativity and has allowed me to build connections to people and places around the world.
My Inspiration
At the age of five I was eating blue cheese and craving my parents entertaining specialties, French onion soup, escargots and veal parmigiana.
Growing up in an amazing city like Toronto, meant I was lucky to have many diverse cuisines at my fingertips. Exploring the flavours of my city captured my imagination and spurred me to re-create some of those recipes in my own kitchen. To this day my travel itinerary is always full of grocery store visits and must try restaurant spots.
Cooking fuels my creativity and has allowed me to build connections to people and places around the world.
My ABC’S of Cooking
Sometimes you just want to know how to poach an egg, what a heavy bottomed pot is or what a pomelo is. The ABC’s of cooking covers all the burning questions you have about ingredients, techniques and equipment. The more you know the easier it will be to have recipes turn out or freestyle in your kitchen.
My ABC’S of Cooking
You don’t want always need a recipe. Sometimes you just want to know how to poach an egg, what a heavy bottomed pot is or what a pomelo is. The ABC’s of cooking covers all the burning questions you have about ingredients, techniques and equipment. The more you know the easier it will be to have recipes turn out or freestyle in your kitchen.
My Favourite Tips To Share
Season to Taste
Don’t be afraid to use salt. Taste as you go and always taste and re-season before you serve up a recipe. Other ways to add a spark of flavour to your meal is with a dash of hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon right at the table.
Read the Entire Recipe
I can’t tell you the number of times people tell me that recipes don’t turn out as they expected. After digging deeper, they often mention how they left out a certain ingredient, used a different pan or even cut down on cooking time. Reading the entire recipe and ensuring you have everything you need on hand to make it is the key to success. After you perfect that recipe you can always tweak it to suit your preferences.
Use Resources At Your Disposal
It’s never been easier to learn how to cook and use unfamiliar ingredients. The internet is a dynamite resource along with cooking classes. Find a trusted and reputable on-line resource for all your cooking queries (hint hint, wink wink)
Be Adventurous
Say yes! When you dine out order the item on the menu that you would never cook at home. At the grocery store pick up a new spice or vegetable and learn about it. If you travel explore new flavours and bring inspiration home with you. Be a tourist in your own city and explore the food diversity. Step outside your comfort zone and broaden your horizons.
GET INSPIRED TO TRY NEW FLAVOURS
with our many resources prepared with love just for you
