Where Eatingwithari began

It all begins with a single spark, then you find what fans and fuels your fire.

My complete love for food was a love I was born with, but my appreciation and curiosity for the shenanigans that goes on behind the scenes, comes from my dad. My dad taught me gratefulness for each ingredient. Respect your ingredients and they’ll respect you. My greatest source of inspiration comes from the moments in the kitchen with my dad. Everything my dad produced was absolute heaven on a plate. Whether it was the most memorable and delicious meal when I was five, or a big family gathering, or birthday dinners, or for a much needed comfort meal after a bad day, my dad never failed to concoct the most magnificent plate. The way his dishes comforted people with any ailments left me completely speechless. I was always hungry for more, more time in the kitchen with him, more spoonfuls to taste test, more moments to learn and grow, and hungry for more culinary knowledge.

I carried a strong passion with me all through my adolescent life, it was what bonded my dad and I the most. He encouraged and fanned my growing flames as the years went on. He sat on the sidelines and watched me get my own footing behind the stove. He would offer input that fueled an ever growing interest in food. My journey started before I was even tall enough to reach the counter on my tippy toes, but I spent many years trying to stumble into a different passion. I denied how strong the pull to cook was. As the years went on cooking was a simple joy I did to care for my loved ones and not a means for my creativity and all my energy. A trip to Italy forced me to accept and fully give my all to my craft.