Hi, I’m Rachel… I’m not a chef, or a professional baker; I’m just a person who is passionate about food, textures, tastes, smells, and the warm fuzzy feeling I get when I see people around my dinner table enjoying something that I’ve created. I love pouring through recipes, books, and researching about different techniques, chefs, restaurants, and skills when it comes to food. I also love to create my own recipes or variation of recipes. My main conversation topic is usually often about food, so I decided… why not blog about it! I am very excited to share my favorite recipes, books, restaurants, and knowledge about food to all of you out there.

I reside in Peoria, AZ with my husband Lukas, whom I’ve been married to since August, 2007. I finished my degree in ECommerce Sales and Marketing and have also completed my Google Adwords Professional Certification. Blogging is something that has always intrigued me because it is a way to bring two things I am passionate about together (writing and food subjects), which has been my inspiration for starting my blog: myculinarycanvas.com.

I grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania. Growing up, I was surrounded by an entire family, men and women, who had a deep culture and passion for cooking. Everyone in my family and who I was in close proximity with loved to cook, it’s just what we did…my brothers, aunts, uncles, sisters, cousins, second cousins, parents, friends, etc. No matter what we were doing or where we were going, the main event was always built around, “What are we going to eat?” The kitchen was where we shared most of our family time, whether cooking up a boiling pot of soup or sitting around the table with friends and family enjoying a meal we had just prepared.

I was highly influenced with an Italian flavored background, but not limited to. My love for fresh, flavorful ingredients was groomed at a young age and has carried on into my life today. I was heavily influenced by my mother’s way of cooking and always took her word above anyone I know… and still do to this day about cooking. In my eyes my mom is still the best cook I will ever know.

I love to experiment with food, which has expanded my love for food to many exquisite cultures of flavor from everyday Italian comfort food, to Asian, Indian, Mexican flavors, and everything in between. My goal is to become well versed in the local food scene of where I live and travel, as well as becoming a groomed cook with fresh, delicious, and simple recipes, ideas, and techniques.

A few of my favorites when it comes to food… and I’m sure this list will keep growing:

· The crack as my spoon hits the sugar crust on my first bite of Crème Brule.

· The smell of fresh squeezed lemon and basil

· Olive oil

· Crusty Bread, especially when paired with a bowl of steaming hot soup

· Romano Cheese… I favor it over Parmesan…

Ok… now I’m hungry! What’s for dinner??

Bon Appétit!