ABOUT ME
I live in Brooklyn but grew up in Texas. Texans love football, beer, and big, bold flavors. Throughout my youth, I enjoyed my fair share of barbecue, tex-mex (just like me!), and southern cuisine. Both my parents also worked from home, so home cooking was common and I came to appreciate the love and care that goes into a great dish.
Today, I count myself lucky to be living in New York City, surrounded by a rich assortment of cultures, each with their own traditions and flavors, all of which I cannot get enough of. Even when traveling, one of the first things I do when planning a trip is look up the best local restaurants, breweries, and street bites in the area. It’s a great way to learn about where you are and who you’re with.
A few years ago I began collecting cookbooks from places I’d been. Thanks to my upbringing, cooking always serves as a way for me to relax and feel connected to home. And by exploring these different recipes, I found I could also relive some of my past experiences. In many ways, it all adds up to great therapy for the soul.
With the encouragement of my family and friends, I’d love to share some of what I’ve learned. Some cuisines can seem out of reach, and some ingredients cannot always be found where you are. Nevertheless, with a little work, I’ve found it’s possible to create new experiences right from your home kitchen without being as difficult or intimidating as you might think.
-Dustin “Pants” Pope