I love Sarah’s feature in this issue of Where Women Cook…there is something so wonderful and inspiring about reading about someone who realizes their passion and changes paths to follow it.
I am Sarah Spry Keenan, and I come from a family of artists: musicians, painters, cooks…and my Mom is a writer. I am artistic in my own way, but a writer I am NOT (as you may or may not agree as you read on). Cooking is my art. It took me a while to figure this out, hence my mid-life choice to quit my job and go to Culinary School last year. My husband James is a graphic artist and painter himself so he recognized my passion and encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a professional chef.
Because I was raised in a family with hardcore health-food freaks, I was fed the purest and freshest foods as a child.
Not until I was well into my adulthood did I come to appreciate that part of my upbringing. However, if as a five-year old you were told that carob chips and raisins were just like chocolate chips in cookies you may have developed some bitterness later as I did, especially towards raisins. My grandmother had a huge garden and raised livestock that included chickens and goats. Both my mother and my grandmother at separate times owned and ran their own health food stores.
My “granola” upbringing went beyond the fresh food aisle. Growing up all over California was amazing. There were camping trips in the Sierras, road trips up and down the coast, and endless days on the beach. My dad used to take my brother and I cherry picking. I remember so vividly how we would sit at the top of the trees and do more eating then picking…then on our way home, we would stop at roadside fruit stands to pick up snacks. In these ways and more, throughout my young life I developed a fulfilling relationship with good, fresh food—it is practically in my blood.
hile I have always found joy in cooking, whether it was a good meal or attempting a new recipe, I think the desire to cook professionally set in when I noticed how the food I cooked for my people made them happy. The energy and love you put into good food…the planning and research, shopping for just the right ingredients, and the time and care preparing it…then comes the moment of truth when you serve it up to the ones you love. There is such gratification knowing you’ve made something really good, really healthy, and really delicious. And then the satisfaction I would get from small victories, like finally making something my picky toddler would eat without any drama – score! That toddler is now a 22-year-old man and a brilliant musician as well as a natural and creative cook in his own right…the family love of food continues into another generation.
The blogging world is fascinating to me, I could easily lose a whole day reading food blogs. I started my own blog –Spry On Food (http://spryonfood.com/) – in March of 2010 to have a creative outlet for my cooking and to share what I had discovered; the creation of a new recipe that turned out awesome, or a cool new ingredient, or my incredible journey through Culinary School. (For more on my school adventures, read the full article in the summer issue of Where Women Cook.) Spry on Food gives me added motivation to continue searching for new and interesting foods, as well as a great structure within which to really flesh out the recipes and processes and share the knowledge with fellow foodies.
Since graduating from culinary school I have worked as a personal chef; tried my hand at catering local events; and I recently had the pleasure of cooking for 55 amazing women at the Gilded Life’s art event in Dallas, Texas. In addition, I have been sprucing up my blog and posting several times a week. I will readily admit I have missed the wonderful experiences I enjoyed during school. Luckily, I am honored to be given the opportunity to return: I will be teaching Thai cooking classes this summer at my alma mater, Laguna Culinary Arts in Laguna Beach, California (http://www.lagunaculinaryarts.com/). Big thanks to Where Women Cook for letting me share my story. Do what you love and you will shine!
So incredibly proud of my girl. My only child finds her way on her own terms and proves to herself and all of us how great she always was. But, whoever thought to this degree. I love you, Mom
Nurturing all of us with your fabulous food! We all love that you followed the dream and made your passion for cooking a career. As always, I will be your guinea pig to eat whatever you cook, or take a class, or try it on my own after reading the blog! Keep rockin’ it, sistah!!
Hello Sarah,
Love your blog and LOVE to cook!! Teach me PLEASE!! If you ever need any pictures taken I would love to photograph you. Im an old friend of your husband, I would love to do portraits of you both! let me know!
It would be my joy!!
949 547-7729
Keep on cooking!
Laura Arnone
I know sarah because I’m her niece and she is such a great chief I’m so glad she became a chief because it makes her happy and she can cook for me.
love elyse
Thanks Elyse…… I think she meant to say Chef, although I like the Chief thing too.
you rock girl! cannot wait to be back at the beach and share the kitchen with all your new found food ideas!
just bought a mandolin! help please!
As Jenny B’s mom, I would like to join your mom in saying how proud I am of you. You so deserve to be recognized for the fine chef you are, your the creative force that you are, for the inspiration that you are, for the fabulous teacher that you are,for the great friend that you are. Many blessings as you continue your on your path.
Hey sweetie! Great stuff. We’re both geeked to see you Wednesday. As always….so proud of you and great to see the young Sarah pix!
Sarah- Your blog makes my mouth water -Mark
Sarah’s knack for taking the expected and turning it into something unique and exciting permeates everything she does, including her cooking. What a fun article! This is my first experience with “Where Women Cook”, and I can’t wait to check out the magazine. Looking forward to more!
The courage it takes to walk away from a stable and “safe” world to dive head-first into your dreams is an absolute inspiration! Your recipes aren’t just creative, beautiful and delicious, they are actually do-able, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your ability to teach what you do. And, thank you for all the fabulous pictures. Mark is right – your blog makes my mouth water!
So glad you followed your dreams and made them a reality, I’m inspired!!
The world became a much sweeter place the day you decided to pursue your dream. You have always cooked with such great love, and those of us lucky enough to sit at your table are so happy for you and so excited to see your story unfold!
xoxo
Debbie
Debbie! Let’s make a date to cook at the new pad, very soon!!
Miss you guys
So incredibly proud!!!!!! (and incredibly lucky to get to eat your creations!)
I believe that true happiness comes from doing what you are supposed to be doing. It’s good to see my beautiful wife so happy. Very proud!
Thank you Sarah for teaching me so much in the kitchen. Look forward to doing more in the future!
Lots of love, Jennay (phtgr. & sous chef)
So VERY happy for you. Wish I lived closer to enjoy your creations.
love,
Claudia
Love the new images of you. So you’ve gone and invented yourself again, pretty much fun.Don’t worry about the butterflies, it’ a good thing. I must make peanut sauce. Love, Dad
I am so happy that you have found your passion, not only because of the successes you have enjoyed, but to see you so inspired and happy. Our family has been lucky to enjoy such rich culinary traditions, and it is a beautiful thing to share that with your community. Also, you are my favorite chief.
Thanks sweet sister Vivi!!