It's important that you know a little about my background and what led me to start this new adventure. First let me tell you I am not a trained horticulturist or landscape architect. What I am is professionally trained chef with almost 20 years of experience in what I call the food for pleasure industry
I was born and raised in San Angelo, Texas. A Hot, Cold, Dry place, albeit an oasis in West Texas. My husband and I lovingly refer to it as "West of Eden". I left at the age of 24 to go to school at The Culinary Institute of America, where I felt my entire world open up. Soon after graduation I moved to Austin, Texas. I've been blessed with many great opportunities and people along the way.
My first exposure to gardening was as a Sous Chef at Hudson's on the Bend. I was completely fascinated with watching things grow, and seeing the whole process open up before my eyes. Not just receiving and paying for produce, but actually experiencing the whole life cycle. Jeff Blank the owner of Hudson's was actually the first person to teach me about gardening and the little tricks and tips that make it all happen. If you have never seen the gardens at Hudson's take a trip and explore the gardens and experience the restaurant. In fact Jim and I were married in the herb garden at Hudson's.
I left in 1996 to pursue other experiences, jobs, and people. During this time Jim and I bought our Home. Our little pink bungalow, with the big yard, no landscaping only beautiful 90 year old Pecan trees. I can't describe the joy I've experienced in transforming our little piece of earth. It's definitely been a learning experience. My husband is also a Chef and lover of great food. He spent the first part of his life in Louisville, Kentucky with an avid gardener for a Father. I love to hear his stories of eating nothing but vegetables in the Summer time. I think it's actually a little exaggerated, but it's always fun to hear the stories. And something must have rubbed off on Jim and his siblings. My sister- in- law Cathy Breidenbaugh also inherited her fathers love of gardening and tending nature. She has created her own "Eden" in Tampa, Florida. She has been my gardening hero for a long time.
It's actually my husband Jim that I credit for planting the seed in my mind for this new venture of Culinary Gardens. I had always grown herbs at home, but it was Jim that hounded me to grow lettuce, corn, tomatoes, squash, melons and more. I put it off, thinking it would be too much to take care of, but finally I took a small step and started growing Arugula and lettuces. After tasting that first homegrown salad there was no turning back.
I went back to Hudson's on the Bend as the Chef in 2000. Once again I was happy to reconnect with my old friends and make new ones. It's a great feeling to walk through the back door of the kitchen and right into the garden. These gardens have provided many years of beauty to the people who work at Hudson's and it's guests. But it's not only beautiful, it supplies many of the ingredients to the menu.
I left Hudson's to teach at Texas Culinary Academy in 2004, so that I might have more time with Jim. That's what it's all about for me; family and food! As of January 2008 I'm focusing on being a full time Hoe'r.
