ABOUT THIS COOK:

My introduction to the world of food actually began with baking instead of cooking. I grew up making summer pies and Christmas cookies alongside my mom who owned her own pie business in Philadelphia. Early on I was taught the importance of being precise and careful with ingredients; I actually had to get used to eyeballing measurements and improvising when I started cooking savory dishes on my own! In addition to testing recipes for Food52, I’m a personal chef who specializes in making meals for clients with special dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc). You can find me at http://broccolirose.com. I also really enjoy helping my clients and friends decipher recipes and learn about new ingredients. Cooking is an important, yet often underrated life skill, and I like to help those who need some guidance!

• What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
  Lots of exotic meats at a Brazilian rodizio: ostrich, buffalo and alligator all freshly carved at the table.

• What do you cook when home alone?
  Split pea soup with crusty bread for dipping. I make a vegan version with white wine and thyme, and it comes together in about 30 minutes but tastes like it’s been simmering for hours. It’s a very comforting dinner and makes a ton of leftovers.

• Your most treasured kitchen possession:
  My grandmother’s freckled ceramic bowl. It’s shallow enough for pasta and big enough to mix cake batters in.

• The ideal number of guests for a dinner party is:
  Six- that’s how many chairs I have around my table!