A Bit About the Cook-Photographer

(Hylah Hedgepeth)

I’m a mom to two young boys, a portrait and lifestyle photographer, and a plant lover in Los Angeles. I completed a professional culinary program ten years ago and have been cooking simple, seasonal food at home ever since.

I realize that for those who are - for the first time - receiving produce through local farms, CSAs, or farm hubs, meal-planning has changed. Rather than browsing tasty-looking recipes and then shopping for the required ingredients, you now get whatever is abundant and at its flavor peak, and then decide how to prepare it. Popping out to the market for random ingredients isn’t practical in these Covid times, so my recipes include only what I consider to be pantry/fridge/garden staples (yes, anyone can grow herbs next to a window!).

In recent weeks, friends have signed up for farm boxes and sent me texts asking things like “Um what do I do with all these leafy greens? Turnips? Cabbage?! How can I use up all the produce before it goes bad and/or my next box arrives?” I’m thrilled to respond to these questions because the answers are empowering and fun.

This food supply shift is an opportunity to support local business, reduce waste, eat in sync with nature, feel more connected to our food, and prepare clean, nutrient-dense meals for our families. Oh, and straight from the farm produce tastes 1,000 times better than the store-bought stuff that’s been sitting on a refrigerated truck. I’m here to make the process easier so that more folks can feel confident joining me in this sustainable, delicious revolution.