How many people can actually say that they cooked for Oprah?
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| Heather's Healthy Vegetarian Roasted Eggplant Casserole for The Oprah Winfrey Show November, 1995 |
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| Celebrity Judge Rosie Daley - Oprah's Personal Chef Way Back Then! |
"You're doing what? Now?" My Star Candy Designs Jewelry Fans on Facebook are asking that question in response to my latest postings. Yes, I know it sounds nuts but those of you who know me, know that I am absolutely passionate about Healthy Organic Cooking (in addition to fitness and designing jewelry). I love to keep busy and I love a challenge! This is not just something I suddenly started. My love for cooking is deeply rooted in my past going back to my childhood in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. I created detailed menus for my own family as early as 10 years of age and my mother often left me to my own devices in the kitchen to cook whatever I wanted (smart move Mom)! However, it was ultimately my "Oprah Connection" years ago that proved to be the catalyst. I'm going to take you back for a moment... to October of 1995. I was a 34 year old stay-at-home new mom and an avid Oprah Winfrey Show watcher. One day, Oprah announced she was having a Celebrity Cooking Contest. SNAP! A light bulb went off in my head - that's what I do best I thought. I immediately wrote down the instructions for the contest and found a guy to video-tape me cooking two of my 'signature dishes' in my kitchen in Poway, CA. I quickly mailed the VHS tape to Chicago in a bright pink padded envelope and never thought anything more of it. I got a call two weeks later from one of Oprah's producers, asking me to be on the show! It was not a casting call and there were no auditions like they do today for ALL reality shows. It was basically one phone interview and then next thing I knew Harpo Productions flew me, my husband and my 17 month old daughter Hannah to Chicago. They rolled out the red carpet for us! Picked us up at Chicago O'Hare in a big stretch limo and put us up at the Residence Inn right near the St. Lawrence River. I cooked my non-dairy Healthy Vegetarian Roasted Eggplant Casserole (photo above) and my Roasted Butternut Squash Soup in my hotel kitchen suite for Oprah, her personal chef Rosie Daley, the incredible Luther Van Dross (R.I.P.) and country singer Pam Tillis. I can honestly say that I introduced Oprah to tofu in 1995! She had never tasted it before and the filling in my casserole was made with tofu. It was a magic moment and definitely one of the highlights of my life! When I got back from Chicago, I appeared on the local San Diego 10 News and re-created my recipes for reporter Shawn Styles and main news anchor Adrienne Alpert. I didn't win the contest (came 3rd place) but I sure felt like a total CELEBRITY! Ever since then I have been hooked on cooking.
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| My daughter Hannah and I in Chicago for the Oprah Winfrey Show on Main Street in front of the F.A.O. Schwartz toy store |
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| November, 1995 (Hannah at 17 mos.) |
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| My Toughest Critic! Hannah Renee Isabelle - now 17! |
Fast forward to 2012....So several months ago, I started posting random photos of the dishes I have been creating in my kitchen along with the recipes on Facebook. I also posted a few cooking videos on my youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/starcandymom. Within a few short weeks my followers were asking if I "delivered"? I started thinking about this concept of Healthy Home Delivery Meals and thought hey, I'm already cooking for my family so what's a few more portions? I worked for Dining Details organic catering company at one time and saw how they packaged and delivered their family-style meals. So...I decided to do this on a very small scale (for now) and kind of wait and see what the demand is. I have come to find very quickly that there is a HUGE DEMAND for this! I've been completely amazed at the number of inquiries coming in. I have a few personal clients now and the list is growing!
These are some of the delicious, flavorful healthy dishes I'm cooking up this week!
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| Organic Asparagus, Fennel, Orange Salad w/ Citrus Marinade |
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| Braised Chicken with Aromatic Veggies |
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| Herb Crusted Baked Chicken Breast Patties w/ Butternut Squash Quinoa |
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| Fresh Mixed Field Greens w/ Roasted Chicken & Avocado Cream Dressing |
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| Heather's Very Veggie Soup (17 vegetables in all) |
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| Roasted Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce with over 12 vegetables |
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| Rolled Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta w/ Marinara |
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| I use the freshest, seasonal, organic ingredients possible! |
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| Braised Chicken Thigh & Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Roulade w/ Roasted Veggies |
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| Organic Spelt Crepes w/ Orange Ricotta Filling |
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| Thai Curry Chicken Basil Stew I've never gone to Culinary School and I'm not a chef - I'm just a MOM who is passionate about Healthy Cooking and giving my family the best possible energy by choosing seasonal, organic, fresh ingredients from local farmers and stores like Whole Foods Market, Jimbo's, Sprouts Market, etc. Here is my Sample Menu for the week of February 13th-18th. If you would like information about pricing and delivery schedule please contact me directly. I only do this for a few people within a certain radius of my home (Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, La Jolla, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Bernardo, Poway). I'm doing it because I love it and want to turn more families on to a healthier way of life! If you 'friend' me on FACEBOOK I will be more than happy to share recipes! February Entrees for week beginning Monday, February 13th: (858) 449-4648
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Cooking For OPRAH Got Me Hooked!
Reviewed by pada mama
Published :
Rating : 4.5
Published :
Rating : 4.5
