Last February, I received a voicemail from Matthew Mead who is a lifestyle guru, author, photographer and stylist. He is also the official food photographer for the Associated Press and has his own line of signature newsstand magazines. Thanks to an introduction by my friend, Ellen McHale of Nelley Kelley Designs, I had previously met Matthew at The Vintage Bazaar last summer (super fun open air bi-annual market in Salisbury, Massachusetts). In his voicemail, Matthew asked if I could snap some photos of my kitchen for a possible feature in Where Women Cook Magazine.
I had to take several large and deep breaths before I called him back. Before taking pictures of my kitchen I then had to, as my closest friends know, clean up my kitchen and in particular my island that definitely gives off the “someone lives here” vibe if you know what I mean.
To make a long story short, Matthew and I set a date for him to come to my house to shoot photographs of my kitchen and of me working in my kitchen preparing recipes that I love. But which recipes would I prepare? I knew the dishes should be colorful, but they also had to tie in with the story I wanted to ultimately tell. They also had to work for an Autumn issue that would hit the stands on September 1! I have to thank my friend, Ellen for helping me think this through before the shoot. Ellen has been featured in Where Women Cook’s sister publication, Where Women Create (and will again be featured in their Autumn issue) so she has a lot of experience with these opportunities!
I decided to prepare four dishes in total including my Grilled Asparagus & Beet Salad, Seared Scallops with Corn & Bacon, Armenian Cucumber & Tomato Salad, and my recipe for Armenian Spinach & Cheese Phyllo Pie which is not on the blog yet!
Matthew and I spent a wonderful day together and it was terrific to watch him move elements around in my kitchen to achieve a magazine worthy shot. I loved seeing how he styled his photographs and of course my food! Once the cooking was done, we sat down and had a lovely lunch together.
Where Women Cook Magazine is published once a quarter and features women from all over the country who range from celebrities and Food Network stars to wellness coaches, food stylists, photographers, illustrators and bloggers. The thread that holds all these women together is their kitchens, recipes and most importantly, their stories behind the images. The magazine celebrates women and encourages those published to share their journeys, their favorite kitchen item and why it is of importance plus a favorite quote that inspires them. The magazine was created by Jo Packham who is also its Editor in Chief and is published by The Stampington Press. I felt this was a wonderful magazine with which to partner because the format is essentially what my blog is all about – the story behind the pictures and the food.
Once Matthew had finished editing the photos he shot, my work began to write a 600-800 word story about myself which is harder than it sounds! Only my husband saw the draft before it went off to the magazine, but one of my daughter’s helped me choose which photos I preferred from Matthew’s roll. The rest was up to the magazine to put together which they did quite beautifully I have to say.
I want to thank Matthew Mead for providing me with this amazing opportunity to be in a national publication, and Jo Packham along with her team for including me.
All of the pictures below were shot by Matthew Mead and give you a glimpse of the day. If you are interested in purchasing the magazine, it is available at some Barnes & Nobles or you can purchase it online here.
Have you made this recipe yet? I’ve heard from many folks that they are really enjoying it!
My daughter’s pottery…
Brushing the phyllo with melted butter…
Cheese and spinach filling…
Fresh from the oven…
This tastes like my childhood right here…
Searing the scallops…
Prepping the bacon, corn, red pepper and jalapeno in my father’s cast iron pan…
For my favorite item, I chose my father’s cast iron pan which may mother gave to me shortly after he passed away along with his gas grill. He used to make his one famous recipe for Jumbo Shrimp with Lemon and Garlic using this pan…
Some of my maternal grandmother’s recipes. Her writing was so lovely…
The recipe below is so old and torn, but is the one I refer to for my Spinach & Cheese Phyllo Pie. I had to write it up for the magazine so will eventually publish it on the blog so it makes sense! The brown piece of paper was from a lucite paper holder that was next to our kitchen telephone growing up (you know, the kind attached to the wall?)…
My grandmother loved to clip recipes out of magazines, although I am not sure how many she made. This one is for shish kebab so it’s a keeper…
Matthew loved this old gold trays I have from my paternal grandmother and how they played off of my china…
My favorite hydrangeas…
And tulips. There is just something about white flowers that are so clean and fresh…
Some of my cookbooks…
A few of my favorites…
And another favorite that my mother purchased for me in London in 1989…
And I just had to publish this picture of our “baby”, Winnie the cockapoo who was extremely well behaved amongst the chaos! She loves to lounge…
Tada! Here I am in the magazine! My 15 minutes perhaps but it makes me happy…
Follow Matthew Mead on Instagram
One Year Ago: Outstanding in the Field Dinner at Wishing Stone Farm
Two Years Ago: Cherry’s Tomato Tart
always love reading your blog Valerie. You write really well. Can’t wait to buy your magazine!
Thank you, Lucy!
Congratulations Valerie, your beautifully written story
recipes, photos are inspiring. Having your grandmothers hand written recipes is a treasure. I’m looking forward to getting a copy.
Thank you, Armine!
Congratulations you surely deserve this recognition. Again I love you story and look forward to prepare your delicious menu. Yum!
Thank you, CC!
Super fun post, Valerie – congratulations!
Thank you, Rachel!
Woot! Woot! So happy for you Val. I loved the entire feature especially the wonderful words that you wrote. It goes without saying that Matthew’s photography is simply beautiful. I particularly love the shots of the handwritten recipes and of you brushing the phyllo dough and the tomatoes, the asparagus – oh it is endless! Congratulations again – I’m happy to be just a little part of it. xo
You are the best, Ellen McHale! xoxo
Val! I love every single bit of this! Congratulations! Look forward to catching up with you next time:)!
Jessie! I missed you this past visit! I hope you are on the mend and will see you at my next visit for sure!
So many wonderful photos! Congratulations Val!
Thank you, Ani!
Congratulations Valerie! What beautiful photographs and what an incredible opportunity for more people to learn about you and the The Kitchen Scout. I especially love the photos of your grandmother’s recipes. I have my Nana’s date nut bread recipe too–she used to make little finger sandwiches out of it with cream cheese and thinly sliced green olives. Memories!
Thank you, Francine!
Congratulations Valerie! I’m so happy for you. Thanks for reminding me about your Seared Scallops with Corn and Bacon recipe. It’s what’s for dinner!!!
You’re the best Lorell – couldn’t do this without your expertise!
I picked up a copy at the Middletown, RI, Barnes & Noble earlier this week. Lovely magazine, and great article!
Oh…I made the spiralized zucchini caprese salad for a get together with friends, and it was a big hit! I picked up pre spiralized zucchini at the Harwich (ma) Stop & Shop.
Oh I am glad you found a copy, Gail! And am happy you liked the zucchini caprese! It’s a fun recipe!
Congratulations Valarie!
Thank you, Jayne!