Thursday, August 23, 2007

Good Things!

I'm thrilled to be able to share my passion for food with others more and more these days. A few months ago, I started giving cooking lessons here in my home and I can't tell you how much it has enriched my life. Sharing knowledge about something that has your heart is truly a wonderful thing. I have seen my first student, Judith, develop an interest in food and knowing that I had something to do with that is doing my soul a lot of good. After all, I've always believed we have the power to inspire others, just by doing the things we love. Last week I also attended the first get-together of my own cooking group. I met up with some wonderful people for an entire afternoon of food talk, cooking, eating and drinking. We are all really looking forward to a cooking workshop with Victor Russo next month. Victor is an Italian chef and sommelier who was featured in Delicious magazine a few months ago. Along with him, I should also mention another brilliant Italian foodie who has recently caught my attention, Nicoletta Tavella, who was also featured in the same issue of Delicious as Victor. Just like Victor, Nicoletta gives cooking lessons here in the Netherlands, organizes cooking trips to Italy and has even published a book, Antipasti . I was thrilled to bits when I saw that Nicoletta had added my Dutch blog to her list of favorites, by the way!

It seems as though the list of interesting people and things is growing more and more exciting every day because yesterday I returned home to some very happy news! My recipe had won first prize in the McDonald's Kitchen contest! And before you have a heart attack, not that McDonald's! Andy McDonald is the Netherland's coolest new chef, an Englishman who has his own cooking show here which airs every Tuesday night, The McDonald's Kitchen. His approach to food is very similar to mine: healthy, fresh and seasonal. Well, thanks to my winning recipe, I'm off for a cooking workshop with Andy on the 29th of September!

All very exciting news to share with you today...and no recipe to go with that! But the week is drawing to an end and I feel a celebratory baking session coming on, so stay tuned!

10 comments:

Kelly-Jane said...

Congratulations on winning the competition, it sounds so exciting! - what was your recipe?

You have to follow your heart and what you believe to be right, good luck will all your foodie ventures, new and old.

KJxx

Paola Westbeek said...

Thanks KJ!

As for the recipe, well, I submitted three so I'm not really sure which one was chosen. I'll be sure to ask on the 29th!

paola

Petra said...

Congratulations on the first prize for the recipe for McDonals Kitchen. The program is really fun to watch. Maybe you'regoing to be on TV.. heheh, I'm going to watch tomorrow again ^^

Paola Westbeek said...

Thanks Petra! Oh yes! If they want me on tv...on a cooking show...I'm THERE! ;)

paola

BlondebutBright said...

It's definintely a big decision to change your thesis topic, but better to really love what you're doing - it's all that will get you through. Good luck!

Mara said...

Wow, Paola, what adventures you're starting, girl! Giving lessons sounds wonderful, I wish I could go ;)

Congratulations on the winner recipe (can't wait to see it) and good luck with your thesis. I'm sure you'll soon find out where this road is taking you :)

Unknown said...

Wow Paola!! Sounds so exciting!!! I think it's very brave to decide not to finish your thesis.

Congratulations with everything!!
:o)

Paola Westbeek said...

Hi Stacey,

The funny thing is that all my research was pretty much done. I basically just had to write it...BUT, my heart told me to do something else...and I always listen when my heart speaks! ;)

paola

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the winning of the contest!!!
I didn't know about the show but
will watch it now. Don't forget to tell us if you'll ever be on air.

Yukiko

Paola Westbeek said...

Thanks Yukiko! How nice to see you around. :) Hope you are well!

paola