My Culinary Love Story: How Food and Love Led to a New Life

by Pauline Parry

Overview

In a quaint English market town in the 1980s, Pauline Parry finds herself a divorced mother of two small children. A chance encounter leads her to a new life, one that begins in the most unlikely of places - a flat above a restaurant. There, she soon realizes her true calling as a culinary explorer, ready to embrace a passion for food that will guide her for life. But cooking isn't the only passion that Pauline discovers. As her professional rise takes her from Michelin-starred castle restaurants to California's famed Napa Valley, she's joined on the journey by Dennis, a handsome craftsman and confirmed bachelor - that is, until he meets Pauline. My Culinary Love Story charts Dennis and Pauline's journey through fabulous restaurants, beautiful destinations and delectable culinary experiences. At every stage, Pauline's story is peppered with mouth-watering recipes capturing meaningful moments as she grows as a woman, mother, chef and wife. Pauline's irrepressible love of life, food and fun will lead her to start Good Gracious! Events in Los Angeles, one of the nation's premier catering firms, with a wall filled with awards for innovative cuisine and presentation. In My Culinary Love Story, she shares her romance, her wisdom and her infectious determination to savor whatever adventure comes next in a beautifully illustrated memoir and cookbook.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781915036285
Publisher:	Whitefox Publishing
Publication date:	06/09/2022
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	1,104,044
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)

About the Author

Pauline Parry founded Good Gracious! Events in 1983, the culmination of a passion for hospitality and food that began in a small bistro in England. Following a stint at a Michelin-starred restaurant in a castle, it was clear that food, fun and love was part of her DNA. After moving to California with her husband Dennis and her two children, her talent for entertaining, imaginative menus and creative design quickly transformed Good Gracious! Events into one of the nation's premier catering firms. Pauline herself was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Events and Weddings and continues to mentor younger chefs and business owners. When her daughter, Chef Joanne Purnell, joined her at the helm of Good Gracious! Events, Pauline began to put her talents down in writing. First with Food, Fun and Love: Party Styles, and now with her debut memoir, My Culinary Love Story, a nostalgic look back at her culinary apprenticeship and the early days of her romance with Dennis. For the latest news on Pauline Parry, follow her on Instagram @paulineparry. To get recipes, entertaining inspiration and how to order her books, visit paulineparry. Follow Good Gracious! Events on Instagram @goodgraciousevents.

Table of Contents

Prologue 9

Chapter 1 An Unexpected Encounter 11

Chapter 2 In the Mendips 25

Chapter 3 A Snowy Christmas Eve 41

Chapter 4 Our First Official Date 54

Chapter 5 Children and Dating 67

Chapter 6 Beaujolais, Picnics, and Children 81

Chapter 7 Meeting the Children 93

Chapter 8 Dinner at a Castle 105

Chapter 9 Two Proposals 122

Chapter 10 Falling in Love 136

Chapter 11 Love Letters 156

Chapter 12 A Trip to California 173

Chapter 13 Burgers and Beaches 195

Chapter 14 Back to Reality 213

Chapter 15 Wedding Bells 234

Chapter 16 The Holidays 255

Chapter 17 Final Decisions 270

Chapter 18 California Here We Come 287

List of Recipes 305