new business model during COVID

Well, COVID-19 threw us all a curve ball, didn't it? (I really have no business using a baseball metaphor because I barely understand the flow of the game, let alone the rules, but it seems appropriate here.) My heart goes out to everyone who has gotten sick, lost family members or friends to this sneaky disease, or suffered a disruption of their livelihood.

I've been absent from this site since way before COVID, though. I taught a couple of Piroshki classes at Kathy's Kitchen at TwispWorks last winter, and then... life got busy. Just before teaching those classes, I started a part-time job at the Rocking Horse Bakery in Winthrop. I was a morning baker, coming in at 5 AM five days a week to stock the pastry case with freshly baked scones, muffins, and coffee cakes. I also made breakfast sandwiches and prepped pastries to bake off the next morning.

While the super-early schedule took some getting used to, the job was extremely rewarding. For someone who has worked entirely from home (other than cooking classes) for 5 years now for my full-time nonprofit job, having a place to go every day and the opportunity for live interaction with fellow humans meant a lot. And, doing something with my hands that was not typing, plus being able to see - as well as feel, smell, and taste - the results of my labor was good for the body and soul.

You can probably see where this is going... Yes, that's right, COVID happened, and my bakery adventure came to an end. I do still miss it, but I try to take it in stride... it must be time for my next adventure!

I plan to continue to offer my hands-on cooking classes when this pandemic subsides. Right now simply does not feel like a good time to do that, even in very small groups. Meanwhile, I've been thinking of other food-related things I can do safely during this time.

Here are some services I can offer right now:

Recipe testing

Recipe development

Food writing (blogging, articles, social media posts, etc.)

Editing/proofreading of food-related texts

Food photography

Private chef/personal chef services (meals cooked offsite and delivered to you)

Please contact me if you're interested in any of the above! And, be well, everyone. Take good care of yourselves and those you love. If we all do our part, we will beat this nasty virus back, and come out stronger, kinder, and a little more connected to each other.