Teaspoon of Vanilla

My name is Brooke, I’m 23 years old,  and one of my greatest passions is spending time in the kitchen.  I moved to Chicago two years ago after graduating from Michigan State (GO GREEN!) and am enjoying the energy and inspiration that the city brings to me on a daily basis–I’m so lucky to call it home.

I started this blog a few months after moving here as a way to keep track of the many recipes that I try (and tweak), as well as to fill the place in my heart that I’ve always had for writing.  Though (for some reason) I graduated from college without any type of extensive training in the English language or any iota of formal culinary skills, these are without a doubt my greatest areas of interest.  I spend my days doing “culinary creative strategy.”  I’m quite sure this was fate, and my “everything happens for a reason” moment, due to my aforementioned lack of culinary knowledge, love of writing, and yet-to-be-discussed obsession with fabulous design.  These loves marry beautifully in my day job making me one very lucky girl.

I am inspired my colors, creatures, beautiful design (here it is), my surroundings, and people with a zest for life.  I love owls and russian nesting dolls, and if I could find a way to somehow wrap those into food I certainly would (more to come on that, I’m sure).  I characterize my style as contemporary modern with a southern nostalgic twist.

I’m working my way through the many recipes I’ve yet to try, creating a few of my own, and probably licking a few too many spatulas.