Friday Foodie – Christina of Christina’s Cucina

I am so pleased to introduce you to food blogger Christina Conte of Christina’s Cucina. We recently met on Facebook and have become fast friends! I can’t help it! Christina is just so interesting! She seriously has had many lives. Italian born in Scotland with a father who kicked ass in the kitchen and seems to have the claim to fame for the best fish and chips in Glasgow. Lots of time spent in Italy in the summers – her family drove from Scotland to Italy every year, what an awesome roadtrip!

Then a life in Southern California with hubby and kids and jobs such as social worker, photo lab fiend (her words!) and professional eater. No just kidding on that last part. Christina enjoys travel and her recent posts on her last trip to Italy have me drooling! I particularly love the one on Cacio e Pepe (Spaghetti with Pecorino Cheese and Black Pepper) which is one of my favorite dishes!

[Warning, don’t look at the post hungry!]

Let’s meet Christina!

[1] Have you always been a foodie, or is that something you grew
into?

I was born into an Italian “foodie family” so yes, ever since I can remember, and apparently even before then. My mother told me when I was about two, I reached up onto the kitchen counter, grabbed some raw garlic and ate it. She thought I’d spit it out, so she was shocked when I swallowed it.

[2] How and why did you begin your blog?

I started my blog in late September of 2011, after taking my son to university on the east coast. Since my daughter was in high school, I decided it was time to make some money again, but I didn’t want to go back into social work. One morning I had breakfast with two friends and they both told me I should do something with my cooking skills, and one suggested a blog. I went home and googled, “how to start a blog” and a few seconds later, Christina’s Cucina was created. I couldn’t believe it was live, and so I sort of panicked. I love that I started my blog, but the money part is still to be realized.

[3] What’s your favorite thing to make/cook?

I love to make desserts and sweets, especially things which are to be decorated.

[4] What is your favorite thing to eat?

That question is like asking me “Which is your favorite child?” I can’t do it. I will give a list of a few at the top of my list: homemade, dry-cured Italian sausages, good quality chocolate, fish and chips, gnocchi and black pudding.

[5] What is your comfort food?

I honestly can’t say that I have comfort food. I enjoy everything I eat, and if I don’t enjoy it, I don’t eat it.

[6] Describe your perfect food day?

A perfect food day for me would entail a light breakfast with fresh fruit, a soft boiled egg with “soldiers”, a chocolate croissant and a cup of European cocoa. I’d have an early lunch of fish and chips with pickled onions, then a light afternoon tea around 4 pm. Dinner would be later and consist of some fresh, crusty Italian bread, really good cheese, cured Italian sausage and salami, some olives and a glass of wine! That’s fitting in as many of my favorites as possible in one day!

[7] What are three other blogs that inspire you?

Poires au Chocolat: Emma is just so talented in so many ways!

London Eats: everything Russell makes, I want to eat.

Lavender and Lovage: Karen floors me with everything she makes, and not only does it look incredible, but I love her food styling and photography.

[8] Do you have advice for bloggers just starting out?

Don’t copy anyone else. Everyone has an opinion and if you change to please everyone, you’ll make yourself crazy. In two words: be yourself.

Thanks Christina!

Keep up with Christina’s tasty tidbits on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest and of course by visiting Christina’s Cucina, including her Porridge Championships win.

Here are a few more places to find her:

Christina’s three food events in Scotland this fall.

BBC Good Food Show lineup.

One of her five recipes featured in SCOTLAND NOW.

On Twining’s’ homepage.

How about you? What would you like to ask Christina? What’s your perfect food day?

Like it? PIN it!