Park Hill Cookbook Author Discusses her Delicious Destiny
Q & A with Editor Erin Vanderberg
Stephanie Taylor, of 22nd and Clermont, a psychologist, filmmaker, vegetable gardener, grandmother and master in the kitchen, discusses her lifelong journey of becoming a good cook and the inspiration for her new 544-page cookbook, A Delicious Destiny, which she spent the past 10 years of compiling, writing and testing recipes for, with the Greater Park Hill News.
What started you cooking?
The inspiration behind my culinary journey is one of truly loving good food, and being either blessed or cursed – depending on how you look at it – with sensitive tastebuds. My mother encouraged me to cook at a very early age (8 years old), even turning the kitchen over to me for the day. I felt creative and independent for the first time in my life during that time – feelings that I longed for and loved, and feelings that I still have today in the kitchen. My family endured many horrible meals then, but were always supportive of my skills. I actually won first place and a blue ribbon at the Maricopa County Fair in Mesa, Arizona, in the adult division, for my white yeast bread when I was 10.
Who were the best cooks in your life and what did they teach you?
My mother and my five aunts (her sisters) remain some of the best cooks I have ever known. They all had a specialty and were always eager to share their recipes and knowledge. My mother used classic methods to prepare her somewhat French cuisine, thinking nothing of allowing sauces to simmer all day in the kitchen. My mother and father lived in the South when they were first married, so she also had a Southern flair. My various aunts taught me about seasoning, baking, grilling and setting a welcoming table, among other things. They always used fresh ingredients from their vegetable gardens, their respective trees, orchards and favorite markets. This remains important to me today, as I plant and nurture a prolific organic vegetable garden each year in Park Hill.
What culinary inspirations in the cookbook were inspired by your extensive travels?
When traveling, I have delighted in experiencing new cuisines. There are recipes in my book that stem from most all the countries, regions and cities I have visited. For instance, I have included many Indian, Mexican, Greek, Moroccan and, of course, Italian and French dishes. There’s a lot of Americana cuisines in the cookbook as well, like Tex-Mex, Creole and California cuisines. I even have a “Retro” section of my book which features some of the old Campbell’s Soup casseroles! Each recipe is replete with a dialogue about my experiences with the particular food or its country of origin.
Any recipes in particular inspired by a Park Hill block party or dinner party?
Loving food the way I do, I seem to pick up ideas and recipes each place I eat. In Park Hill, I am always inspired by the fabulous cuisine served at Tables (on Kearney). My Park Hill-based daughter and her husband, Chelsea and Stephen Wolf, have several recipes in my book. I have included many recipes from friends in other Denver locations, as well as traditional ones from my family.
Why are cookbooks important?
I have shelves of cookbooks and I read them like novels. They give me inspiration for meal and party planning, interesting facts, useful tips and, of course, new recipes. There is something so comforting about having a cookbook in your hand, as opposed to finding recipes on the internet; it literally allows you to “put your finger on” any course – appetizer, salad, main dish or dessert. Plus the food photography in these books is beautiful, inspirational and mouth-watering. Cookbooks seem to hit all of one’s senses.
A Delicious Destiny is currently carried by the Park Hill Community Book Store, the Tattered Cover, Boulder Bookstore, the Changing Hands Bookstore (in Tempe, Arizona), various gourmet shops and online at stephaniehtaylor.com, where Stephanie also keeps a blog.