Amy Garman

My children inspire me every day! When I was raising them, we didn’t have the luxury of dining out often, so we got creative in the kitchen. My kids used to joke that we never had food, only ingredients! I always made sure our pantry was well-stocked. Despite the busyness of family life, most evenings were spent around the dinner table enjoying a meal made from scratch, with everyone helping. Everyone had to contribute. The kitchen was truly the heart of our home.

I am an “in the moment" cook and love to cook seasonally, so I would have difficulty having to name only one favorite dish to make. Cooking to me is like music, with ingredients being the instruments and the lovely scents wafting about its melody. Like a certain song, there is a mood and a vibe to a dish. That said, I really love making a dish from Northern Italy—Sausages in Tomatoes over Polenta. It is a hearty winter meal, but can be lightened with summer fresh ingredients. Al

Being certified in Holistic Nutrition Coaching and having a decades long career in the healthcare sector, I would love to use the money to launch an outreach project for children in my community. Some children do not have the advantage of having someone teach them how to cook and the importance of nutrition. I would share my passion for food and cooking to help these children begin their journey of having a positive relationship with food, wellness and cooking that will last them a lifetime