Welcome to Cooking with Wine: Uncorking Our Culinary Story
Here we are, finally embarking on a new adventure with the launch of our blog, a step that feels both exhilarating and a little surreal. For many, a blog is often the first foray into sharing their passion, followed by social media. However, our journey has been delightfully unconventional, almost charting a reverse course. What began as a simple hobby – or perhaps, a gentle plea from friends tired of our constant food-centric Instagram updates – has blossomed into something much more profound. We started sharing snippets of our culinary creations on Instagram, primarily as a way to connect and document our shared meals. Yet, the roots of our deep appreciation for food, its preparation, and the joy it brings, stretch back much further than any digital post. This blog is a natural evolution, a dedicated space to share not just recipes, but the stories, experiences, and passion that ignite our kitchen every day. Welcome to The Cooking with Wine Blog: Our Culinary Beginnings.
From Reluctance to Revelation: Angela’s Unexpected Culinary Journey
Let me, Angela, confess something upfront: I used to despise cooking. It’s a plain and simple fact. While I reveled in every other aspect of food – from exploring vibrant farmers’ markets to savoring delicious meals in new restaurants – the actual act of preparing it felt like a chore, a necessary evil. My kitchen was a place of quick fixes, takeout menus, and a general lack of inspiration. This perspective, however, was dramatically altered the moment I met Mark. He, on the other hand, possessed an innate curiosity and genuine enthusiasm for the culinary arts. His passion was infectious, and as we began to cook together, something truly transformative occurred within me. It wasn’t just about making food; it became about sharing an experience, a creative outlet, and a bonding activity that brought us closer.
I soon realized that my aversion wasn’t to cooking itself, but to the solitary nature of it, and the absence of a kindred spirit to share the journey with. With Mark, cooking transformed from a dreaded task into a joyous collaboration. In the early days of our relationship, my contributions were humble but enthusiastic. I became the sous chef extraordinaire – the master of ingredient gathering, the meticulous chopper of vegetables, the diligent stirrer of sauces, and, of course, the artful plater of every dish. Crucially, I also embraced my role as the dedicated documentarian, capturing every delicious moment through Instagram stories and posts. This phase, where I was learning and observing, was foundational. It allowed me to immerse myself in the rhythm of the kitchen without the pressure of leading, slowly cultivating a newfound appreciation for the art of cooking that I never thought possible.
Bridging the Distance with Shared Flavors: Our Virtual Kitchen
Our love story began as a long-distance relationship, with me residing in the bustling city of Los Angeles and Mark in vibrant Dallas. The geographical distance often felt immense, yet we were determined to find creative ways to feel connected. It was during this period that a truly unique and endearing tradition emerged: virtual cooking dates. We decided it would be wonderfully fun to prepare the same meal simultaneously, each in our respective kitchens, turning a solitary act into a shared experience. We would set up video calls, our screens filled with chopping boards, simmering pots, and joyful banter, as we navigated recipes together. The process was often filled with laughter, occasional mishaps, and a profound sense of togetherness, despite the miles that separated us. Eating virtually, face-to-face, made those moments feel remarkably intimate and special.
When I shared this unconventional ritual with friends and family, their initial reactions were often a mix of chuckles and wide-eyed surprise. Some found it amusing, a quirky testament to our dedication, while others expressed how incredibly sweet and inventive it sounded. Looking back, these virtual cooking sessions were far more than just preparing food. They were a cornerstone of our long-distance bond, a tangible way to build shared memories and traditions. It allowed us to explore new recipes, learn from each other, and deepen our connection through a common passion. The kitchen, even separated by states, became our sacred space, a prelude to the shared culinary adventures that awaited us.
A New Chapter: Dallas, Domesticity, and Deeper Culinary Exploration
A year and a half into our relationship, I made the life-altering decision to pack my bags and move to Dallas. This change was nothing short of monumental, flipping my entire world deliciously upside down. My daily routine underwent a dramatic transformation. The relentless pace of a full-time job with crazy hours, the constant travel every other week for work – all of it faded away, replaced by an abundance of free time. This newfound liberty allowed me to finally dedicate myself to pursuits I had long yearned for but never had the luxury to explore. But beyond the professional shifts, the most profound and cherished change was simply being together, navigating the everyday tapestry of life that I had always secretly craved. Those seemingly mundane, ordinary moments – a quiet morning coffee, a shared evening walk, and most significantly, cooking dinner together – became the greatest luxuries.
Suddenly, cooking together evolved from a long-distance tradition into a central, vibrant part of our daily lives. With time on my hands and Mark by my side, my curiosity in the kitchen truly blossomed. I began voraciously seeking out new recipes, from comforting classics to exotic global cuisines. Our grocery store visits transformed into exciting treasure hunts, as I delighted in discovering “weird looking vegetables” and unusual ingredients that promised new flavors and textures. Each meal became an experiment, an opportunity for creative expression, and a shared learning experience. Slowly but surely, almost imperceptibly at first, my initial reluctance melted away, replaced by a genuine, deep-seated passion for cooking. I discovered the joy of nurturing ingredients, the satisfaction of creating something delicious from scratch, and the immense pleasure of sharing those creations with the one I loved. The kitchen, once a place of dread, had become a haven of creativity and connection.
The Genesis of “Cooking with Wine”: From Instagram Snapshots to a Flourishing Community
It was January 2018 when a casual reply to one of my Instagram stories sparked the initial idea for what would become “Cooking with Wine.” A friend messaged me, “You guys should totally start a food Instagram!” My immediate internal reaction was a dismissive, “Nah, who would possibly want to see that?!” At the time, our Instagram was a personal account, a sporadic collection of life updates, not a dedicated culinary platform. The thought of creating a niche food account felt oddly self-indulgent. Yet, the seed was planted. Driven by a newfound zest for cooking and Mark’s encouragement, I decided to give it a try. What was there to lose? I figured if I didn’t enjoy it, or if it didn’t resonate, I could simply stop. That tentative step, that leap of faith into the unknown, was the precise moment @cooking_with_wine was born on Instagram.
To our delightful surprise, people *did* want to see it! What started as an experimental endeavor quickly gained traction. We began sharing not just photos of our finished dishes, but also glimpses into our cooking process, our culinary inspirations, and the occasional wine pairing. The engagement was organic and incredibly heartwarming. We found ourselves connecting with a growing community of food enthusiasts, sharing tips, swapping recipes, and celebrating the simple pleasures of home cooking. This unexpected success and the vibrant community we cultivated on Instagram directly mirrored the evolution of this very blog. Just as a friend’s casual suggestion launched our Instagram, another friend, seeing the depth of our passion and the stories we had to tell, suggested, “You should really start a blog!” This blog, then, is a continuation of that organic growth, a deeper dive into the world we’ve built around food, wine, and shared experiences.
Our Vision for The Cooking with Wine Blog: More Than Just Recipes
As we launch this blog, I admit, the exact, rigidly defined goal or mission statement is still taking shape. However, one profound lesson I’ve learned throughout life’s journey is that you don’t always need to possess a crystal-clear vision of the end goal, as long as you are consistently moving in a direction aligned with your core values. For us, those values revolve around passion, connection, inspiration, and the joy of discovery through food and wine. This blog represents another meaningful step down that very path. It’s a platform to delve deeper than Instagram allows, to share detailed recipes, intricate cooking techniques, and the personal anecdotes that make each meal special. We want to explore the culture of wine, not just as an ingredient, but as a companion to our culinary creations, enhancing flavors and elevating experiences.
Our hope is that this space becomes a welcoming haven for both seasoned home cooks and those, like my past self, who might feel intimidated by the kitchen. Perhaps no one will care, or perhaps a thriving community will gather here – either way, the point remains the same: to openly share our genuine passion. We aim to demystify cooking, to break down complex recipes into manageable steps, and to provide practical tips that empower anyone to create delicious meals at home. Ultimately, our mission is to inspire a few more people who, just like I once did, believe they “hate to cook.” We want to show them that with a little guidance, a dash of creativity, and perhaps a glass of wine, cooking can transform from a chore into a profound source of joy, connection, and self-expression. Join us as we explore the endless possibilities of flavor, technique, and the rich stories woven into every dish and every bottle of wine.
Thank you for joining us on this exciting new chapter. We invite you to follow along, share your own kitchen adventures, and become a part of our growing “Cooking with Wine” family. Here’s to good food, great wine, and even better company!