About Me

Welcome to A Global Garnish and my world of food and travel.

I’m old now, but as far back as I can remember, I was food focused. When I was a kid, at the dinner table, my sister used to surreptitiously feed me liver, eggplant, lamb, turnips, or whatever else she considered too exotic for her young palate. Nothing was too weird for me to try — as long as I beat the dog to the under-the-table food pass.

Village in the Foothills of the Atlas Mountains – Morocco

My food focus became an obsession when I was 18 years old and roaming Morocco with a friend. A meal in a Moroccan Riad altered my understanding of taste and flavor boundaries forever. I learned that all you had to do was to keep exploring and traveling and you were likely to find a new taste treat around most any corner.

Four decades and two careers later, I can still remember that Moroccan meal, and I’m still exploring the world of food — whether in my neighbor’s vegetable garden or the far reaches of the globe.

I knew it was time to retire from my three-decade career as a scientist when I was as interested in the food I was eating on my international business trips as in the work I was doing. So, at age 50, I went to culinary school, surrounded by hopelessly-energetic 18-year-olds. Then, thanks to a bit of chutzpah and unbelievable luck, I worked for two thrilling years as a prep cook with some of the best and brightest — at Vie Restaurant (now a Michelin Star restaurant), and for nearly five years as a private chef. I’m not sure which was more exhausting. The food business is not for the faint of heart or the over-50 crowd — no matter how much you love it.

So, I quit the food business and moved to the beautiful Worcestershire countryside in England with my husband. It was convenient to say that I quit because of our move rather than admitting that my joints were screaming at me — although both were true.

Now, I continue to travel and write about foods I discover — sharing tricks I have learned from culinary school and the food trade. It is so much easier than working in the food business….

Food Stalls at Night in Jemma el-Fnaa (UNESCO Heritage Site) in Marrakech’s Medina

LOGO ARTWORK:

Logo artwork by Nanci Yermakoff

PHOTOS:

All photos are mine. Please ask permission if you would like to use any of them.

37 thoughts on “About Me”

Jan Garratt on 2012/01/29 at 5:01 PM said:

Jeannee – is there no end to your talents? Made e kedgeree yesterday so am super grateful we can get smoked haddock here. Have you posted the crab cakes yet? Sorry to keep on about them but they were the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Maybe it was the beach/wine/company – but I’m sure you’ll agree that’s what good eating’s all about.

Jan x

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2012/01/29 at 6:43 PM said:
  
  Jan – The crab cakes post will be out soon! I can see a story about the Vale Ladies starting to brew…..
  
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This Sydney Life on 2012/04/04 at 8:04 PM said:

I’m sharing the blog love (because I love A Global Garnish). Today I have recognised you with a blog award (of your choice, no less!) 🙂

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theglobalgarnishgeek on 2012/04/05 at 1:11 PM said:

Only a fellow blogging addict like you could understand what a treat it was to find your recognition of my blog. Thank you so very much ThisSydneyLife !

Hard to believe with all those great sites out there. I’m not sure I deserve this until I can learn to post fabulous photos like you and so many of my peers, but I won’t turn it down 🙂

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ChgoJohn on 2012/07/05 at 2:42 PM said:

I followed you back from my blog — no I’m not a stalker — and liked what I’ve seen of your blog so far. I’ve subscribed so you’re bound to see more of me. Till next time … John

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2012/07/05 at 7:57 PM said:
  
  Thanks John. I haven’t had a chance to do much Italian yet, but have plenty of ideas from travels there as well as from my childhood Italian-American friends. I’ll look forward to your feedback….
  
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crazytraintotinkytown on 2012/08/21 at 6:40 PM said:

Merhaba! I’ve nominated you for a much deserved award so pop on over to my blog for details. Don’t worry if you are unable to fit it in as I won’t be offended – just enjoy the moment

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2012/08/21 at 7:26 PM said:
  
  Thank you soooo much Crazytrain! Funny, I had drafted a post to pass on my awards and YOU were on my list. So, you’ll be getting one more 🙂
  
  So am I just supposed to pick one from your list?? That would be fun.
  
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Anthony Braybrooke on 2012/08/26 at 11:27 AM said:

Just found your blog and slowly starting to read my way through it. Great stuff. Thank you for sharing it. 🙂

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2012/08/26 at 3:46 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much Anthony. And good luck with your Australia chronicles!
  
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Peri's Spice Ladle on 2012/09/25 at 11:45 AM said:

Hi, I like reading your blog and have passed along the ‘Blog on Fire’ Award to you. Congratulations! Keep those posts coming…Peri.

Read here: http://perisspiceladle.com/2012/09/25/a-shower-of-awards-praise-and-recognition/

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2012/10/02 at 4:27 PM said:
  
  Thank you so much Peri. I think your blog is great as well. I wish I had time to try all your recipes!
  
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  - Peri's Spice Ladle on 2012/10/02 at 10:13 PM said:
    
    Thanks! I have the same issue, I like so many recipes but can’t get down to trying them all!
    
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Anne on 2012/10/06 at 12:47 PM said:

You have a lovely blog. I enjoy reading your stories and looking at your photos & recipes. I look forward to reading more.
-Anne

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2012/10/06 at 1:42 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much Anne — and for following….
  
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Anne on 2012/10/11 at 2:39 PM said:

Hi Jeannee, I see you have already gotten nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award. Regardless, I wanted to nominate you again because you do have a lovely blog. 🙂
http://unihomemaker.com/2012/10/11/one-lovely-blog-award/

All the best,
Anne

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2012/10/14 at 8:26 AM said:
  
  Anne – Thank you so much for this award and for your inspiring comments. They are always a thrill to receive.
  
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Chica Andaluza on 2012/12/02 at 9:43 AM said:

Great blog (I popped over after you visited me) and I agree with what you say about those first impressions of Morocco 🙂 You now live in a beautiful part of England and have some wonderful recipes/tips on here!

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2012/12/04 at 9:42 AM said:
  
  Thank you Chica. We are now back in the U.S., but, yes, we were so lucky to live in the beautiful English countryside. While I love London, I think England is at its best in the country’s rural life. We could have lived in Birmingham, but chose to rent on a working English farm instead. I can’t imagine anything that would have been better than waking to the sound of the horses and birds in the morning 🙂
  
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johnnysenough hepburn on 2013/01/05 at 5:43 PM said:

Hi. Just to let you know that I’ve nominated your blog for the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award. All details within my post: http://feedthepiglet.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/blog-of-the-year-2012-06/

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Peri's Spice Ladle on 2013/01/16 at 1:27 PM said:

Hi, Thanks for your support of Peri’s Spice Ladle…I’ve nominated you for the Illuminating Blogger Award. There’s no obligation to accept or re-post it, this is just my way of saying ‘I enjoy reading your posts’.

Here’s the award post link: http://perisspiceladle.com/2013/01/16/blog-of-the-year-2012-and-more-a-heartfelt-thank-you/

Have a great year!
Peri.

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2013/01/24 at 10:39 AM said:
  
  Peri – Since I LOVE your blog, I am very flattered that you are willing to nominate me for an award. I must admit that I am so very behind on returning these awards as well as saying “thank you”. My apologies for that but I truly cherish your feedback.
  
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  - Peri's Spice Ladle on 2013/01/24 at 12:08 PM said:
    
    Thank you, we have mutual admiration:) No worries on the acceptance post, I am in your boat there, takes me months to get around to them…
    
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thebestdressup on 2013/03/27 at 10:22 AM said:

ciao! luvFAB blog.
thebestdressup

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- theglobalgarnishgeek on 2013/03/27 at 11:26 AM said:
  
  Thanks so much TBD!
  
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soulofspice on 2013/04/21 at 10:31 AM said:

What a lovely blog you gave. Living on a working farm & waking to the sounds of horses sounds divine!!! Looking forward to reading more of your recipes…hope you’ll visit my space sometime..

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- The Global Garnish Geek on 2013/04/24 at 6:11 PM said:
  
  Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, I’ve been very fortunate to travel to and live in so many interesting places. And I did visit your space – and will be back!
  
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Searching For Sugar Plums on 2013/06/11 at 11:36 PM said:

I love your interest in international cuisine and love trying food from all over the world, even if I’m stuck at home and can’t be travelling! Your story is a very interesting one, and I love how you ended up in the beautiful English countryside. Your blog is great, and I’m glad I found it 🙂

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- The Global Garnish Geek on 2013/06/12 at 9:51 AM said:
  
  Thank you so much for your kind words. Funny – I was just contemplating the pros/cons of changing my blog format – a bit of work for me. I wondered if it was worth it, but your nice words have inspired me to go ahead! And thanks for signing on…
  
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lemongrovecakediaries on 2013/06/21 at 3:53 AM said:

l love your about page story! I also went to culinary school later in life to study pastry and it’s the best thing I have done. I agree working in a commercial kitchen is not for the faint hearted. Looking forward to following your blog and trying out your recipes.

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- The Global Garnish Geek on 2013/06/21 at 8:11 AM said:
  
  Thanks so much. Judging by your photo, I’m guessing you were quite as old! Good luck with your endeavors (checked out LemonGrove), but based on what I can see, I don’t think you’ll need luck. Looks fabulous.
  
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Edibles&Travels on 2013/06/23 at 7:04 PM said:

Love love love your blog!

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- The Global Garnish Geek on 2013/06/25 at 9:55 PM said:
  
  Thank you so much Edibles 🙂
  
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Melissa Brody on 2013/06/25 at 12:16 PM said:

Love your blog. STUNNING photography. So glad to have found you–can’t wait to read more!

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- The Global Garnish Geek on 2013/06/25 at 5:28 PM said:
  
  Thank you SOOO much, as I just finished my first photography class and I really struggling to improve….
  
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Hilda Callenbach on 2016/09/30 at 7:41 AM said:

Dear sir/madam,

I’m sendig this message about the use of your image for educational purposes ref 29547-01-83

My name is Hilda Callenbach.
I work for an educational publishing company (Edu’Actief – http://www.edu-actief.nl) and we are at this moment (among others) working on the development of teaching materials on the Asian Kitchen.

In this training-material we would like to add a picture as shown on your website:

Historic Hawkstone Park, English Golfing Ladies and Steamed Vegetables

The image:

I would like to hear from you if you would consent for the usage of this image in this and other educational methods.

I would like to hear from about the possibilities.

If you need any additional information, please contact me.
Sincerely ,

Hilda Callenbac
Met vriendelijke groet,
Hilda Callenbach
extern projectverantwoordelijke
h.callenbach@edu-actief.nl / hilda@graphickitchen.nl
M 06 21585933

Edu’Actief
Zomerdijk 9e
7942 JR Meppel

Postbus 1056
7940 KB Meppel

http://www.edu-actief.nl

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- The Global Garnish Geek on 2016/09/30 at 8:02 AM said:
  
  Hilda – I am happy to have you use this image or others from my website provided you credit the photos with my website. Thank you for your interest in my blog:-)
  Jeannee
  
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