I am a marketing exec and a late to the party, self-trained chef. I never had an interest in cooking growing up. I just saw it as a function of eating! As I got older, I wanted a healthier lifestyle, and food was a key component. So, I did what all good marketers do…I threw myself into research…and learned to cook! Buying cookbooks and watching the Food Network became obsessions of mine. Eventually, great meals were the rewards for the trial and error. I also love to entertain which makes developing a menu…finding the right party theme and the right tunes important. Entertaining over the years has left me with many memories and just as many stories to tell. It wasn’t until I found a love of wine that changed how I viewed hosting.
Beer girl to wine sophisticate
I’ve taken the low road in my wine journey. I left beer behind when I married my husband who was a “wine with dinner” guy. I started reading “Wine for Dummies” hoping to get smart quick! I asked a lot of people a ton of questions. I’ve come to love wine over the years. Trying as many types as possible and asking for advice every time I go to a restaurant or wine store. One of my earliest inspirations in appreciating wine and food pairings was Greg Moore of Moore Brothers Wines. His philosophy is to really understand the background of the wine…the geography and the people who make the wine. So each of the wines they sell come with this backgrounder as well as food pairing suggestions. Buying at Moore Brothers is a unique concept and it started me down a new path. He understands and showed me the experiential component of wine! Through this journey, I discovered food and wine pairings made the experience so much better and more memorable. I even created a wine room in my house to elevate the experience!
My “Second Act”
“Everyone needs a second act”! This was the sound advice I received from a good colleague about 9 months ago. Take all you’ve learned and experienced in your personal and professional journey and marry it to your true passion to create something magical. On a rainy, Fall day in 2019 I took this advice to heart, and Simply Paired was born! Like Greg Moore, I believe that food and wine are meant to be discovered and experienced together. I love to develop healthy and seasonal ingredient recipes and simply pair them with wines that complement their fresh flavors. I take a pragmatic approach: trying lots of recipes with a variety of wines until I find magic. It’s all, Simply Paired!
Simply Paired is my passion…my second act!
