in the kitchen with…
In the Kitchen With…
We have met so many Iowans who love to cook and bake.
Story by Carol McGarvey
Featured in January/February 2021
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Everyone has a story, and we hope you will help us tell the tales of a variety of Des Moines cooks. Please send us your ideas. Tell us the names, contact information, and a little about your cooking friends. Contact us!
There are naysayers who believe that no one cooks anymore. We know better. Since 2009, Welcome Home Des Moines has featured a cook or a baker in each issue. What fun we have had sitting at a kitchen table and hearing tales of special foods and their significance in a person’s life.
Female and male, young and young-at-heart, they all have a story. Perhaps it was their mother or grandmother who showed them the way around a kitchen. Watching, listening and doing is how they learned.
Most have stories of trial and error or of making special foods at certain holidays. They are carrying on a legacy so that it won’t be lost over time. Hand-written and smudged old recipes are as valuable to them as a treasured piece of jewelry or furniture.
At Christmastime, we often seek out cooks who keep ethnic recipes going in their family celebrations. Or, we look for bakers who do beautifully decorated sugar cookies. Are you aware that there’s a whole group of bakers called the Des Moines Cookiers? Who knew?
Often in the summer, we have featured foodies who enter their special talents into food competition at the Iowa State Fair—except for 2020, of course, when it was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of winning a blue ribbon, some have gone on to start small businesses, sharing their pies, cakes, and cookies.
And, because we love the state fair, in 2004 we started sponsoring a fair contest, Souper Soups. It’s not a large contest, but it is a tasty one. We get a front-row seat in judging flavorful hot stews and soups, and even refreshing cold fruit ones, such as strawberry, blueberry, or peach. Hey, someone has to do it.
The best ingredient in all our food coverage is meeting Iowans we wouldn’t get to know otherwise.
To check out all our featured cooks and their delicious recipes, go to WelcomeHomeDesMoines.com. •
