I never set out to raise a foodie, it just happened! (Well, I’m not really surprised seeing that I basically raised my son in the kitchen!).  Even before having children I decided that I was going to do whatever I could to encourage them to take risks when it came to tasting new foods, even if it meant preparing healthy meals and inventing (and reinventing) recipes on a daily basis!

For me, making homemade meals EVERY day is a non-issue.  Firstly, because I could live in the kitchen and would cook all day long if time permitted, and secondly (and more importantly), because food is love…and I love my son enough to give him the best!  I get so much satisfaction seeing the smile on his face after he devours one of my culinary creations!

HE is the reason why I’ve been so inspired in the kitchen and more importantly, the reason behind starting this blog!

I’m quite proud that my son has developed such a mature palate for his age and I’d like to think that I had something to do with it!  I mean, he’s even eaten wild boar! (Don’t believe me, check out my post Wild Boar for Baby?!).  I can just see it now…a mini-Anthony Bourdain (my culinary idol) in the making!  I even dedicated THIS POST to good ole’ “Tony.”

My son’s culinary journey started in Sardinia, Italy where I put into action the saying; When In Rome Do As The Romans Do.  From then on, he’s gone from sitting in the high chair with front row seats to watch my “cooking show” every day, to handling the food, to helping me prepare snacks and meals.  I get so much joy out of seeing his genuine interest and excitement over food.
Like I said, he’s a mini-foodie-me in every sense of the word!

Here’s his culinary journey in pictures so far:

His first spoonful of rice cereal at 4 months…I could already tell he was going to love food!

Back in the day when mommy was too paranoid to give him he was still too little to eat fruit on his own.

An old pro!

One day I made pureed rapini and sole filets and decided to give him some, already assuming there was NO way he was going to eat it but figured it was worth a try.  The result: he loved it!

Don’t believe me? I figured that, so here’s the proof:

His first time handling REAL food, a “mone” (for “limone”) as he calls it!

His first “real” kitchen!

 Practicing for the big day when he could scramble REAL eggs all on his own! 

Still can’t believe how hard it was for him to give up this pepper so I could add it to the Scrambled Eggs Onions and Peppers for lunch that day!

The “BIG” day!  Look at that smile! 

Chopping potatoes for lunch: Asparagus and Potato Frittata. 

Helping mommy make Nutella Swirl Pumpkin Muffins for morning snack.
What a busy morning it was! 

I know it’s possible that my son’s love of food could possibly end up only being a phase, but I am hopeful that sharing my love of food will instill in him healthy eating habits and that he’ll inherit some of mom’s passion for cooking in the future!