Professional chef turned blogger shares all her recipe secrets
Dana DeVolk worked as a professional chef for years, and within the past year created This Silly Girl’s Life to blog about all of her amazing recipes and adventures. And we are sure glad she did. From Asian stir-fry and fried shrimp, to BBQ ribs and cherry cheescake, her recipes hit the spot. Meet Dana …
Where I’m based: Jacksonville, Fla.
How long I’ve been blogging: Hitting my one year mark in little over a week!
Blog/business basics: This Silly Girl’s Life is mostly about food and recipes. I love to share tips and tricks that I learned from being a professional chef so those who aren’t as comfortable in the kitchen can get cookin’! I also share crafts, fashion and blogging posts!
What do you enjoy most about blogging? Having the connection with food but in a different way. I love being able to help, teach and inspire others. I have made friendships that I know will be life long, and that couldn’t have happened if I never tried blogging!
Other blogs I love: Wow there are so many. House of Rose, The Pioneer Woman, Smart School House, Life with the Crust Cut Off, I Heart Nap Time, NY Melrose, TitiCrafty — I could go on and on.
Guilty pleasure: Reality TV, gummy candies
Last thing I bought: Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory!
Fav stores: Forever 21, JCPenney, LOFT, Hobby Lobby, The Fresh Market
What was life like as a professional chef? Extremely stressful. Just thinking back about a shift almost gives me an anxiety attack! Although, when I was actually in the industry I loved my job, I just knew it wasn’t something I could do forever. It is extremely satisfying to think of a recipe, have that recipe on a menu, have someone order it and that person loving it. There is no greater feeling! That is until I started blogging and the exact same thing happens except through the computer, getting those e-mails or comments after someone has tried my recipe and loved it — now that’s the best feeling!
What recipe does your family crave the most? Sweet and Sour Chicken is my husbands favorite!
What book are you reading right now? I’m in between books at the moment, I just finished the second book in the Divergent series, Insurgent. Any suggestions on what to read next?
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned since you started blogging? That the blogging community is huge. I had no idea there were so many incredibly talented other bloggers out there until I really got started. I’m so lucky to be among so much inspiration every day!
