Here we go! We finally decided to start a blog, somewhat reluctantly to be honest. I feel like most people have a blog first, then turn to social media, but that was not our journey. Our method was quite the opposite and started as a hobby, or more a way for our friends to avoid our Instagram pics of what we were cooking and eating for those who were not interested in seeing another plate of food. But the foodie part of our souls existed long before our Instagram posts. So, here’s how it all began…
I, Angela, hated cooking. Fact. But I enjoyed everything about food aside from having to cook it. Mark on the other hand has always been interested in cooking. So, when I met him, and we began cooking together, it became so much more to me! And I realized that it wasn’t the act of cooking that I didn’t enjoy, it was not having someone who shared the same passion and interests to do it with! Early on in our relationship, we began cooking together… well… let’s be real, I didn’t do much cooking at first, but I would help get ingredients, chop veggies, stir sauces, and plate the food. Oh, and most importantly, I would document through Instagram stories and posts. At the time we were in a long-distance relationship – I was in LA, and Mark in Dallas – and we decided it would be fun to cook the same meal at the same time and make it feel like we were actually together when we couldn’t be. So we would video call each other and cook, then eat virtually face-to-face. People would chuckle when I shared this with them, although I’m thinking they found it endearing in some way.
Fast forward a year and a half and I decided to pick up and move to Dallas. This flipped my world upside down! My daily life was significantly different once I moved. No full-time job working crazy hours, no traveling every other week for work, and so much more free time to devote to the things I never had time for. But the biggest change was that we got to be together, doing everyday things, which is what I always longed for! I craved those everyday, mundane things that most people don’t think twice about! So, cooking together became a huge part of our lives. And I started finding new recipes and getting weird looking vegetables from the store to try out. Slowly, I became very passionate about cooking too!
In January 2018, a friend replied to one of my Instagram stories saying, “You guys should start a food Instagram!” And, at first I thought, Nah, who would want to see that?! But, I decided to give it a try and see if I liked it. That’s where Cooking with Wine began. And this blog evolved in the exact same way – a friend saying, “You should start a blog!”
I don’t know the exact goal or mission of this site yet, but something I have learned is that you don’t always need to know the end goal as long as you are moving in the direction of your values. And this blog is another step down that path. Maybe no one will care, and maybe they will, but the point is to share our passion and hopefully inspire a few more people who hate to cook like I once did.
(Picture taken at Castello di Casole in Tuscany during a cooking class with Chef Francesco – May 2017)
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