Featured Bio: Jo Packham

I am thrilled to pen the introduction to the woman behind this week on Amuse Bouche-our very own Editor-in-Chief, Jo Packham. It seems unthinkable to me that there was actually a time that I didn’t know who Jo Packham was. I can hardly believe it was only last May that I was approached at a blogging conference I was speaking at by a woman with awesome hair and glasses that ran a magazine about women artists and crafters. It seems bizarre that I went from being asked to come and speak at her conference in Minneapolis to referring to her fondly as,”Boss Lady”, and working as Director of Internet Operations for Where Women Cook, and heading up this lovely little corner of the Internet as we watch our much loved magazine hit store shelves this week. And yet that is exactly what happened and exactly how things were meant to be. I simply cannot believe how lucky I am to have a job I love with a brand and community I’m passionate about and co-workers I respect and adore.

And it’s all thanks to Jo.

Jo isn’t just my boss, she is my friend. I could not introduce her without expressing my thanks for everything she has done for me and my life. She is truly a remarkable lady and I’m privileged to know and work with her.
xo,
Loralee

I am Jo Packham, Creator and Editor in Chief of WHERE WOMEN COOK … and WHERE WOMEN CREATE.

For me food is not about the food itself - the planning for and searching of the ingredients that are essential, the preparation that is fundamental, the serving of it that is part of its essence, or even about the flavor of it which is quintessential - but rather it is all about the memories that are created from the invitation to the clean-up.

We are “people who love to celebrate” … we celebrate “everything” as often as we can. The usuals of course: every single holiday, birthdays, graduations, new babies, anniversaries … and the not so usuals: farewells & home comings, good news, dance recitals, Sunday mornings. It doesn’t matter what it is … we gather a crowd, have something to eat, and share a very special time with each other. You know, I cannot remember what was served at most of those meals but I can remember vividly my mom and dad and I laughing until we cried on my 50th Birthday at Sara’s house, or all of us together at Judy’s on Daddy’s 90th Birthday, or Mother’s Day, and I will never forget the Sunday mornings at my house when the twins help make breakfast for the 5 of us.

There are no images of food taken at our celebrations …. only of tables scattered with empty plates and the people gathered in front of them to have a picture taken so those generations who follow will know who was there and why it was important that we gather together.

“It’s all about the journey…”