This just came across my radar, and I have to say I’m a little surprised at how hurt and upset I am by it. For the record, I was mortified when I saw the position of my fingers in that photo, but my hands were shaking so badly at the time I couldn’t help it. I am not at all comfortable having my photo taken under any circumstances, and I was extremely nervous having it taken while trying to prep and cook a dish for a professional photographer, knowing that said photos would appear in a rather major national publication.
I am not a culinary professional. I have no formal training. I am exactly what I say I am – a self-taught home cook, who leaves the house at 6:30 in the morning, commutes to Boston to work in an office, gets home a little before 7 p.m., and then cooks dinner for myself and my husband almost every night. And I blog about it because, when I started this almost 3 years ago, it was a fun way to keep track of what we were cooking and eating. And I continue to blog about it because many of you enjoy reading about it, too, and that’s a nice feeling.
I don’t make any money from this blog. I don’t have any visions of fame or fortune or book deals or television shows, and if you are a blogger and you do, that’s great, but that’s not why I got into this at all, and it’s not what drives me. My knife skills are in no way as good as someone who has formal training, but they are also far better than that photo would indicate.
I was taught that if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all. I don’t get the point of making mean-spirited comments about someone you don’t know and who has no impact on your life, but I guess I’m just naive.
Update: Wow, you guys. I am touched and humbled by your kind words and incredible show of support. One of the commenters in the linked thread, Carol Blymire, has reached out to me via a mutual friend, and I hope to speak with her today. I don’t want to generate negative comments or attacks, so I’m going to close down comments at this time. Please believe me when I say I truly believe I have the best group of readers around. Thank you.
Epilogue, 11/17/09: I received a phone call from Carol this evening, and she was deeply sorry about her contribution to the thread in question. She was very sweet and sincere, and I think it speaks volumes about her character that she took the time to speak with me. To be clear, while her name may have been the most recognizable in that thread, her comment wasn’t the most hurtful, so I was a little disturbed to see some of the vitriol aimed her way in the comments here. She’s a class act, and I’d like to just put this whole mess behind us. As always, you guys rock and I’m honored by your kind words and endless support.
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I didn’t even bother to look at this. Your site is one of my favorites . . . you’re very talented. Ignore them.
Screw Carol Blymire and her self righteous self-love. I used to follow her blog and Twitter feed but she’s so full of herself that I just couldn’t read another word.
Your food always looks fantastic! Fuck everyone else’s opinion.
I am a home chef with no formal training and I’ve been a fan of your blog for about a year. Your recipes and approach to food preparation and design are inspirational. Certainly, you know that your photography is phenomenal.
Ignore the vile comments from so called “professional” chefs. The economy is bad, many more people are cooking at home and I bet more than a few of the professionals are feeling a little insecure right now.
Keep up the good work.
Ignore those tacky remarks. Your site is great and the food always looks scrumptious!
I am shocked that someone could have such a mean spirit. I speak for myself and I am sure many more feel the same, Your blog inspires me to eat healthier, to be so much more creative! I just love the way you cook, love the idess you have for simple ingredients and how you pare things up! I have learned, ejoyed and relaxed with your blog. I could care less if you were trained by the best or just got it on your own. You rest easy young lady, you are enjoyed for YOU, not how you hold a knife!
Didn’t even bother to open the link to see what they said. That would give them more credence than they deserve. You are an amateur in the purest sense of the word (someone who does it for the love or amour of it) which is why the rest of us who are likewise amateurs so enjoy peeking at your site. I’m sorry some caddy person who obviously needs to get a real life rather than trying to elevate hers by simply demeaning others, hurt your feelings. Raspberries on her. That’s the spitty, noisy tongue wagging kind – not the sweet, juicy, organic do I have time to make some jam kind!
PS: How is Kali doing?
Shame on them! Your food always looks delicious and your photos are incredible. Your blog is inspiring!
im proud that you stood up for yourself and to all other self taught cooks out there!
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