Danielle Beck Teschendorf

Picking one dish is nearly impossible. I have so many! It’s something simple but elegant. A whole roasted chicken is always a crowd pleaser. French influenced and so flavorful, I reach for this one time and again. Another one of my favorite signature dishes is pasta of any kind. I change up the shape and sauce to match the season. Paired with a favorite wine and homemade crusty bread is the perfect meal every time.

I have many culinary inspirations. I was lucky enough to grow up in the kitchen with my parents, both sharing the love for cooking. My grandmothers taught me everything from southern comfort to German traditions. My uncle also had a passion for cooking and we shared many moments in the kitchen teaching each other our tips and recipe secrets. I remember seeing Julia on TV for the first time and being instantly inspired to cook everything!! When Food Network first aired, Emeril was it for me.

I have 2 culinary dreams. I would love to open a cooking school for kids in my hometown. I have 5 granddaughters ranging from 2-7 and would love nothing more than to teach and inspire children of all ages to grow their passion in the kitchen. I want to provide a safe place for them to learn and create. My second dream is to have a mobile culinary workshop that can travel to different destinations. It would give someone an opportunity to learn everything from basic knife skills to elegant meals.