Strathmore native publishes cookbook

Adelle Ellis
Times Reporter

 

Nearly 18 years after graduating from Strathmore High School, Kristy Gardner has released her first cookbook – Cooking with Cocktails.
Gardner came upon her passion almost by accident. After graduating high school, she attended the University of Victoria where she accidently enrolled in a Woman’s Studies class which “rocked [her] world” and taught her that “food [is] more than just something to put in [her] mouth.”
Gardner lives in Vancouver where she maintains her popular food blog She Eats. In the blog, Gardner talks about food, shares recipes she has created and posts photographs of the meals she has invented and created. She focuses on the ethics of how food is produced and about food politics.
One and a half years ago, Gardner was approached by publisher Countryman Press to photograph the covers of two cookbooks the publishing company was working on. At the end of the discussion, Gardner’s editor, Ann Triestman, offered Gardner her own cookbook deal.
“I [created] all the recipes and took the photographs. It was important to me that the book tell the story I wanted to tell,” said Gardner. “I wanted food and drink to be delicious and elevated, but still approachable and fun. I wanted folks to try something new while still feeling comfortable in something familiar. I wanted to sit down with them at their dinner table.”
The book contains 100 recipes that have been tested, photographed and curated. Some of the dishes are adult versions of childhood favourites, others are new that have been concocted throughout Gardner’s creative process. Some of them are quick and easy, while others take more time and care.
“The book itself is 100 ‘spirited’ recipes and every single dish has booze infused somewhere along the way,” said Gardner. “Each one also has a corresponding, full-page image so readers can see what the final dishes look like, and in the sidebar, you’ll find what I’ve termed ‘tipsy tips’ – suggestions for pairings, substitutions and other helpful tidbits.
“The book is a coupling of (food and alcohol in every recipe) – alcohol cozies food and food cozies alcohol.”
Gardner said growing up in Strathmore helped her grow into the person she is today. Lessons she learned in Strathmore are written on the pages throughout her book.
“Small town values are firmly planted in my core,” said Gardner. “Politeness, hard work, loyalty, family, simplicity, good quality whiskey and country music. I talk about all these in my cookbook. It was small town living and I think there’s something humble and beautiful about that.”
Along with creating content for her cookbook and running and maintaining her blog, Gardner spends her working hours as the owner and operator of a design content, branding and mentoring business, Peppercorn Creative, where she helps “bloggers, entrepreneurs and small businesses to create profitable brands, beautiful websites, and engaging content that makes them money.”
Gardner is also a self-proclaimed bourbonator (like the Terminator but she targets bourbon), is currently working on writing a science fiction novel, and has recently acted in film and on TV.
“If I want to do something, I figure it out and go do it,” she said. “People tell me it’s risky, but so is life – none of us get out alive.”
The inspiration for Gardner’s cookbook came from a solid foundation that “the best memories – the ones that nourish, touch our hearts and evoke spirited laughter from the deepest parts of our bellies – are foraged through good food and drink. Put the two together, and you undoubtedly have a recipe for intoxicating deliciousness. Not to mention wild stories for years to come,” she said.
Cooking with Cocktails is available at all major bookstores.
“(The book is) friendly, punchy and not just about food – this is about connection, fun and drinking and eating way too much together,” said Gardner. “I’m not saying it’s going to change your life or anything, but… it’ll probably change your life.”