Becoming a chef

I'm Chef Julie Szimon.  Becoming a chef was a second or maybe even a third career for me.  I worked in the corporate world in my 20's and 30's and then decided to  be a stay-at-home mom with my two sons.  During my time at home, I really tapped in to my love for food and cooking.  I found myself making all types of dishes and planning parties to try these dishes out on our friends and family.  As my boys got older,  I decided I wanted to go to culinary school.  I knew that I could cook and that I was a pretty good cook, but I wanted to know what the chefs knew.  I wanted to learn technique.  I wanted to learn the whys and hows of cooking.  

​Towards the end of my culinary education, I was able to do a study abroad program in France and Italy.  I traveled to 20 cities in 6 weeks.  I studied baking and pastry and garde manger in Florence, Italy.  This experience was the highlight of my culinary education.  Since then, I travel as much as possible.  I truly believe that food is the one thing we all share in common.  It brings us together in times of celebration, sadness, friendship and family.  

I am happy to share some of my favorite recipes and techniques here with you.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.