Welcome to TasteFood!
This blog chronicles a culinary journey that begins and ends at the kitchen table, spanning two continents, five countries, and a whole lot of meals. Twenty (+) years ago, I put an interior design career on hold, packed two bags, and moved from Boston to Paris to study cooking at Le Cordon Bleu. Call it a hiatus, a leap, or crazy (you can read about that here) but I yearned to live in Europe and let cooking school be my entrée to the continent. It worked! I remained in Europe for 17 years, where I met my Danish husband, had two children, and grew my business as a food writer, cookbook author, caterer, and cooking instructor. In that period of time, we traveled widely and moved several times, living in Geneva for 9 years, London for 2 years, and Copenhagen for 6 years, before we relocated to the San Francisco Bay area, which is our current home.
With each country move and cultural immersion, the first and lasting connection to our new home was through food. Every country has its unique traditions, and there is no better way to discover and embrace a new culture than to have a seat at its kitchen table. In my family’s well-traveled life, our kitchen table has had countless visitors. It’s been the gathering point for new and old friends, while reinforcing the importance and pleasure of the family dinner. I am often asked where I feel is my home, and I answer it’s wherever my kitchen table is. So I welcome you to our table here at TasteFood, where I share my stories, memories, and recipes. Please pull up a chair and get comfortable. I promise there will be something good to eat.
Bon appétit!
Lynda Balslev
Bio:
Lynda Balslev is an award-winning food and wine writer, cookbook author, and recipe developer based in the San Francisco Bay area. She writes about food, wine/spirits, and travel, and contributes to Marin Magazine, NPR, EatingWell, Relish Magazine, and authors the blog TasteFood, a compilation of more than 600 original recipes, photos and stories. She develops and tests recipes for corporate brands, chefs, and wineries and was the exclusive recipe tester for the Stone Edge Farm Cookbook (IACP Best Cookbook 2014). Lynda has authored five cookbooks, co-authored the cookbook “Almonds: Recipes, History, Culture” (2015 Silver Medal Winner Independent Publisher Awards). She is the recipient of the Chronicle Books Award (Recipe Writing) from the Society for Professional Food Writers and was selected as a fellow for the Symposium of Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley.
A New England native, Lynda attended Le Cordon Bleu Ecole de Cuisine in Paris and remained in Europe, living for more than 15 years in Switzerland, England, and Denmark. When she wasn’t moving country, setting up house, raising her children and learning the language of her new home, Lynda worked as a food editor and writer, caterer, and culinary instructor. A corporate move brought Lynda and her family to Northern California, and when she recovered from reverse culture shock, she launched TasteFood as a chronicle of her cooking and travels.
Lynda’s writing and photography have been recognized by many publications including Gourmet Live, The New York Times Diners Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Harper’s Bazaar, The Huffington Post, Smithsonian.com, People, CIA ProChef Smart Brief, and Food News Journal.
Hi Lynda, Your background is unique and very interesting sounds much like mine. I left CO in 1971 and returned to Germany, a country I was very familiar with and returned 35 yrs., later. I was always on the receiving end (enjoying) of the food business. The last 30 yrs., there my wife and I lived in the Rheinland-Pfalz area, about 45 mins., from France. We visited France frequently, since we were in the wine and spirits business, we always had the best of the best. France has strong competition with certain parts of Italy. We returned in ’06 and currently have a German Deli and a German Restaurant (Schnitzel Fritz) in Colo Springs, CO. Although we’re small we stick to tradition and quality. I”m going to Germany 15 Jan to attend a hearing (Fkft Kon) for a German Baker, whom I’ll bring to the CO, where we’ll do only traditional European breads and pastries. Wolfgang has been doing this for 35 yrs. I currently have a full blown bakery just waiting to turn on the ovens. I’m excited as there is a huge interest here with a large familiar population. We use a Rational oven (combi) and just started doing Schweinhaxen over our delicious homemade Sauerkraut. May I try a couple of your recipes and I’ll let you know results. Lynda, that’s it for now as I’ve got to finish packing.
Tchuss,
Mitch and Anke Verburg
Hi Lynda –
I came upon your blog via Pat Sinclair’s facebook post. Pat and I know each other through a local cooking school. Anyway, I just poked around your site and love it. Thanks so much for sharing your stories and recipes. All the best,
Bret
Hi Lynda,
your life sounds amazing and your blog is gorgeous! I love your recipes, very special and with a interesting European influence. I cannot decide which recipe to cook first!! Very nice to meet you, I look forward to your posts!
Ai un blog foarte frumos, imi place mult cum gatesti, felicitari!
Such a cool story. I’m really enjoying your blog. I read the LA Times article that featured your photo, but saw it online and had no idea! That must have been so fun to see.
I’m signing up to your blog…it’s lovely.
Hope you can check out mine some time soon, too 🙂
Appreciate and thanks much for sharing this weblog article post.
Please include me in your emails
It is very interesting to read about your background and I love your blog!
Just stumbled upon your site looking for an apple cranberry crisp recipe. I loved your idea for the roasted cauliflower, prosciutto, peas with oricchiete…in fact, just thinking about it makes me hungry! I look forward to reading your blog!
What an accidental discovery…Nice food blog..just followed 😉
Lynda, it was great meeting and cooking with you at CavallO Point. I will enjoy reading the blog in the future. Cheers, Pam
Pam: It was so nice to meet you. I would love to learn more about your vineyard! – Lynda
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So glad to find your blog and Facebook page. Thanks for inviting me. I look forward to coming back for more delightful culinary adventures!
Im signing up for your blog! WOW, what an amazing backgroup. No wonder you come up with all these amazing recipes!
So glad I stumbled upon your blog! Full of little treasures.
Just came across your lovely blog, and even at first glance I see so many recipes that beckon to me… I can’t wait to explore further. -Laura
Hey Lynda,
Chef Patrick here I was given your name and blog site from Darryl Hotch. Great blog BTW I am having my website redone after a many years and re-branding myself. Your food looks great. Keep up the beautiful and tasty cooking.
Hi Patrick, Nice to meet you and thank you for commenting. Good luck with your endeavors. Lynda
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Hi Lynda, I just had to say that your photos are absolutely beautiful. You have a way of capturing foods beauty and vibrant colours. I look forward to seeing more in the future!
wow – I love your blog!
It was nice to meet you, wish it would not have been so cold & windy and we could have chatted a little bit longer! Next time!
Gabriela
How do you make your Homemade Duck Prosciutto
Beautiful blog Lynda, love the photography! Look forward to cooking your recipes, be sure to visit my blog http://www.youngandhungry.co.za 🙂
Hi Lynda! We met today at the GLIDE soup kitchen in San Francisco. Thanks for being so pleasant to volunteer with! And thanks for letting me know about your blog, this is amazing! Hope to see you again in the future! Take care! -Jade
Thanks, Jade! It was nice to meet you, too. Until next time! – Lynda
Love your blog and story. That’s so incredible that you spent time in so many beautiful places. I have to say that Paris and Copenhagen are two of my favorite cities in the entire world, so envious of you! From one Bostonian to another, thanks for the great posts. Keep them coming!
– Sasha
So nice