Nathalie's interview

Interview by Lydia

We interviewed Nathalie!

Visit the blog: A Pinch of German.

See profile page and recipes

" I refuse to compromise on flavor so I keep going to get it done!"

Hello Nathalie, so tell us...

When did you begin your blog, and what inspired you to start it?

Mainly due to working with my mom in the kitchen at a young age I have always had a love for creating dishes, recipes, and spices. After years of encouragement from friends and family to write a cook book, it wasn't till my husband while fulfilling his dream to go to college, challenged me to fulfill my dreams or writing a cookbook! So in February 2007 I decided to start cataloging what I was creating and writing the recipes down and creating my spice blends. After many health issues I had to keep putting this on pause. My dream was to someday turn my passion for cooking into something more!? This is the beginning- to fulfilling my dreams! As of late we have gone mostly Gluten Free since being diagnosed with an allergy! That being said I have been converting my recipes and creating new recipes that are gluten free and delicious! I refuse to compromise on flavor so I keep going to get it done!

How many hours per week do you spend on your blog?

I spend about 15-20 hours a week on my Facebook page and social media but I spend double that cooking and creating while taking care of my two active kids!

Are you involved in the blogging community - how do you attract new readers?

As far as the blogging community I am not hugely involved! I do write for a blog called www.thatsitmommy.com as the Monday menu mom! I do a lot of networking to bring people to my site, and I bring a lot of samples wherever I go which also attracts folks to my site. I would love to have a lot more likes on my page but I'll get there everything takes time and I truly believe this is my calling- to cook and make people happy with food! Hopefully people will come to my site, see the photos read some recipes and get inspired and through that like my page, or follow me!

How did you become fascinated with German food?

My mom is from Germany and we grew up on German food! We used to visit my relatives when we were younger and I have always loved the food. It is a different way of life over seas and food plays a big part of the day. You don't shop once a week, very little is processed and you cook fresh and simple all the time. All of my memories of my relatives have a food story to go with it while living her in the states the food quality in general seems lacking. People are in a rush here and don't always take the time to really sit and enjoy how great it is when everyone sits to have a meal together!

What is your earliest food memory?

Although I am not sure how young I was I remember always sitting on the counter watching my mom cook in the kitchen. She always made it fun and inventive like working on a science experiment! I would say what if we put "this spice" in there what would it do and she would either do it or tell me what would happen to the flavor. I always found that fascinating and wanted to know more!

When you get home from a long trip do you have a go to dish you crave?

Yes I have two... either Schnitzel or Rouladen. They are my favorites and since there are so few places that you can get them especially like the ones I grew up on well it makes you want it all the more! And my children LOVE them too!

If you could be a contestant or guest on any cooking show what show would you choose?

I would love to be on Guy Fieri's show - I find him to be hysterical! I also love Rachael Ray even though we joke that she stole my career!

Is there any dish, ingredient or type of food you refuse to cook or eat?

Absolutely! I do not eat the veal, or tongue or weird animal body parts! And I do not like stuffed cabbage, only because I was traumatized as a kid from Nana (the Irish side) making me eat them all the time LOL

If you could go back and talk to yourself when you started your blog, what advice could you now offer?

I would of told myself to have more confidence and to never be afraid of failing because it is better to fail than have regrets! And had I known that a long time ago maybe I'd have a spice line on all the shelves so far and my own store!

Anything else you would like to share?

I am honored that you chose to interview me! I have been working on this for what seems an eternity and to be so close to publishing my first book and my first spice line complete I just can't wait to see where this ride will take me!

Thank you Nathalie for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Lydia - 08/04/2013

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