Friday Foodie – Gaby of What’s Gaby Cooking
I adore the sensational food blog What's Gaby Cooking and am constantly stalking Gaby on Instagram! When she responded to a posting I left on Facebook seeking additional food bloggers for interviews, I was beyond thrilled! The only other person I've seen who lives cheese as much as Gaby does is my friend Jennifer in France who writes at Chez Loulou.
Gaby is an author who has gone to both cooking and pastry schools (so she walks the walk) and an avid travel who like me, travels via her stomach. In fact she has a video series that often includes her culinary adventures and they often make me want to be her travel companion!
Let’s meet Gaby!
[1] Have you always been a foodie, or is that something you grew into?
It was absolutely something I grew into! I always loved eating but was probably the pickiest eater on earth until college. It was mac and cheese or grilled cheese all the time when I was a kid. I didn't try steak until I got to college and how times have changed!
After going to culinary school, pastry school and traveling the world for work, there really isn't anything I wouldn't try! Being a food and travel writer means that I get to try some seriously amazing dishes, and I couldn't even imagine trying to do my job if I was still as picky as I was as a 12 year old!
[2] How and why did you begin your blog?
I started by blog back in 2009 as a way to chronicle my journey through culinary school. Basically I just wanted a place to post some pics and share my experience with friends and family. I had no plans of turning it into my full time job, nor did I even think that was a possibility! Fast forward 5 years and here I am! I can't remember the last time I took a day off, but I guess that's what happens when you get to do something that you love as your profession.
[3] What’s your favorite thing to make/cook?
Currently I'm obsessing with ceviche. It's one of my favorite quick and easy meals to make because you can jazz it up so many different ways. You can use various kinds of fish, different fruits and vegetables, different spices, I mean the possibilities are endless!
[4] What is your favorite thing to eat?
Oh my gosh! This is such a hard question and it probably always changes depending on my mood. My most favorite thing to eat it something fresh, tons of flavor and colorful. Last week in the Amazon I was served a platter of perfectly grilled fish, an onion and pepper vinaigrette and a salad on the side. It was seriously one for the record books!! The only thing missing was some form of avocado – because I can always eat avocado!!
[5] What is your comfort food?
Chips, Salsa and Guacamole. And Nachos. But I guess that's all in the same family 🙂
[6] Describe your perfect food day?
I'm really into brunch, so if it's a perfect food day there are some Huevos Rancheros somewhere around 10:30 am along with a fabulous fruit plate. For lunch I want some kind of salad that's loaded with whatever is currently in season. Happy Hour has to be involved and it should feature some fun bites from whatever city I'm currently in.
And then dinner is usually family style with a big group of friends, family or travel companions as we chow down on various meats, cheeses, fish, vegetables, side dishes and other beautiful dishes! For dessert, I like to keep it simple… all I need in life is a perfectly baked Chocolate Chip Cookie. Moist and tender in the middle and a little salty to boot!
[7] What are three other blogs that inspire you?
My best friend is Matt Armendariz and his blog Matt Bites is my all time favorite. His pictures make the world a better place.
Honestly Yum is currently rocking my world for their killed food posts!!
And last but certainly not least is Ann Street Studio – a husband and wife photography duo that I know I can count on for an inspiring post in whatever they are showcasing that day!
[8] Do you have advice for bloggers just starting out?
Yes!! Figure out your voice and rock it! You don't have to be the most perfect writer, or the best photographer in the world… just figure out what makes you tick and then go for it. And be patient, building a blog audience is absolutely a process! Also – don't be afraid to reach out to some other bloggers that you really respect and ask for their advice. I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of Matt, Ree, and Elise.
Thanks Gaby!
Keep up with Gaby's tasty tidbits on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. and of course by visiting & Pinterest and of course by visiting What's Gaby Cooking.
How about you? What would you like to ask Gaby?
What a fantastic interview. She seems like wonderful cook and I would be more than happy to help eat all her food LOL. Like Gaby I also love brunch. I love breakfast but also enjoy many lunch menu items. I worked at a breakfast eatery for three years and it was by far my fav place to work. I love eggs and can eat them two or three times a day.
@Brian, thanks! I can also eat eggs several times a day, I love them anytime and any way!
I love making food! With 5 kids we are always making yummy treats!
Great interview! Gaby seems like a very cool person. How can I not bond with a person who believes the most important thing in life is the perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie?! hee hee hee…
@Michelle, I couldn’t agree more!
I am a foodie, but I am the other kind….the kind that likes to eat, not cool 😉
@Robin, that is exactly the kind of foodie I am as well!
Her kitchen is incredible. These photos are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Candace
http://www.FromCtoC.com
@Candace, I agree, her kitchen is so bright and spacious!
Gaby’s a talented foodie and photographer. Though I’m not sure I could dig into a fish that still looks like one! Hahaa!
@Nancy, I would consider giving it a try, it is quite delicious!
these photos are gorgeous!! can i just hang out with Gaby…so fun!
@Annie, I think a lot of people would like to spend time with her, she has an infectious personality!
Great interview, photos and tidbits! Most of all thanks for sharing.
@XmasDolly, thanks I am sure Gaby would be pleased.
Very inspiring that you went from mac and cheese and grilled cheese to traveling the world trying anything. I am almost 60 and will not eat any fish or animals I am not familiar with. Always afraid bugs might be in foreign food. Do you get paid to blog about this? Can you make a living?
@Rosanne, just speaking on behalf of (food) blogging in general. Most bloggers balance a mixture of paid content with their own and you can make a living, but for most people it is a passion project.
What a fabulous interview! 🙂 The pictures are beautiful, and her personality even moreso! 🙂
@Breanna, she is very inspiring!
Now I’m going to have to start stalking her too. It’s funny that she never tried steak until college. That’s when I realized I liked steak because I finally had it cooked more than medium rare (how my mom made it).
@Liz, my mom made it well done all my life, so when I went away to school and had a rare one for the first time, wow did my world open up!
I love food blogs! Thanks so much for introducing Gabys blog!
@Sharon, me too…except when I’m hungry!
Nice interview.. She has been doing this a long time and is very seasoned..
I just checked out her website and it looks amazing! I love how she has videos too!
@Jenn, she is great on video, wish I was the same, but I shy away from the camera!
Thanks for the post! I love finding new bloggers to follow, and her style is so light and airy, just my style! 🙂
@Chrissy, I love her style too! Finding new bloggers is one of my favorite hobbies 😉
What a great interview. She has a great website.
@Karissa, agree, she has a beautiful site!
Great interview! I’ll be checking out some recipes from her blog!
I love the photo’s that are with this great interview. It all looks pretty healthy, but still appetizing.
Such an exciting interview! Guacamole and chips is my comfort food as well.
@Jen, it is in my comfort food repertoire too!
The way she described her chocolate chip cookies made my mouth water! I need her recipe!
@Kendall, she has several on her blog, but the one I linked to that she makes with alcohol is my fav!
What a great interview and great pictures. I am not a very good cook but I love to eat.
@Catherine, I am really good at eating too!
Awesome interview. I love her kitchen so spacious, bright and lots of room to work with. My favorite combines chips, salsa and guacamole too! I’m also a fan of Ann street studio. Thanks for sharing.
@Carra, I love chips, salsa and guac too, I make meals of that when my hubby isn’t home.
Her kitchen (or THAT kitchen, whoevers it is) is AMAZING. Like, my dream. Also my boyfriend makes a tuna ceviche and it’s like heaaaaven. Yum!
@Chelsea, yum tuna ceviche! We have some great ceviche places here in San Francisco, think I need some next week!
I would love to be a food critic but could never cook myself. That’s a skill way beyond my abilities!
@FamiGami, I don’t cook either, but I am really good at eating!
Such a great interview and the advice, finding your voice and seeking advice is of almost importance as a new blogger
@Mryabev, so true!
I am in love with that kitchen! I love http://sugar-crumbs.com. Her positivity is always inspiring me!
@Nichole, thanks for sharing I will definitely check that site out!
Gaby is inspiring! I’m no foodie, but I certainly have my foodie moments and she is a perfect example of an individual who does what she loves & she so looks like she is having a lot of fun … talk about living the life 🙂
@Russ, so true, she exudes infectious enthusiasm!
Nice interview and great photos. It’s hard to be a food blogger, you need to have the passion to cook and the palate for everything edible in my own opinion.
@Kath, I think it is a little easier when you have the passion for it, but it is work!
Great interview and pictures.
Wow! I love blogging about food too and I think I just found my inspiration! I think I’ve seen her somewhere (via web of course) and I love her recipes, as well as how she takes really nice pictures of what she prepared.
@Jo, Gaby is pretty awesome and I am glad she inspires you!
Wow those pics have me drooling.
I loved reading this. There is hope for my picky eaters now who won’t venture out much at all. Fun interview!
@MaryAnn, I think so, you never know, one day kids hate tomatoes, the next they are asking for gazpacho 😉
I love that you grew into being a foodie. That was a good question to be asked too. I guess I just assumed foodies were born foodies. 😉 I would love to have a great cooking talent!
@Rosey, I was not born a foodie either, or maybe I was, but my family wasn’t so I really didn’t get a chance to express myself as a foodie until I left my family and went away to school!
i am no food photographer.. but that kitchen looks amazing to shoot in!! 🙂 hello from a fellow foodie! i loved hearing about her blog story and all the food she eats. craving ceviche right now…
@Esther, seriously! Seems like it would be hard to take a bad shot!
Such a fun interview, I loved reading this post! I want that kitchen!!!!
@Britt, I know! Isn’t it beautiful!?
Great interview and pictures. I wish I was better with presentation with food, ect.
@Bonnie, thanks! The presentation is hard, I just want to go straight to eating!
I love reading food blogs. I get so many great ideas. I will start following her now. Great interview.
@Ann, so glad you enjoyed it! Gaby is amazing!
Love the interview and learning more about you. I was a picky kid when it came to meat as I didn’t touch much until I got married. I tried meat very rarely but loved my veggies. You have an AMAZING kitchen. Wow. I’m just learning to cook more, by that I mean outside of making a meal from a box. I have loved learning so far.
Great interview. I love reading interviews and getting to know more about other people.
@Shasta, me too, glad you enjoyed it!
Such a great interview. Love the photos; they are beautiful!
I am sure this food is very good but I don’t know if I could eat fish that still looks like a fish on my plate. Thank you so much for sharing
@Linda, I understand, it is definitely an acquired taste!
I love reading interviews, awesome post!
What a gorgeous kitchen! A great interview too! Thanks for sharing!
@Brenda, right? You couldn’t make anything bad in there!
These photos are inspiring. So pretty and I enjoyed the interview
@Aleshea, so glad to hear! I loved the photos in your Texas fair post – made me so hungry!
I’m drooling over her kitchen, and her food, and she’s so cute to boot! I could live in guacamole heaven right along with her, haha.
@Jessica, she is pretty awesome and has a terrific personality. I agree on the guac!
Really fascinating to read more about Gaby…her pictures are lovely too!
@Junietta, yes she is quite interesting!
Stunning photos and deliciously rich recipes. Great interview!
@Michelle, I am glad you enjoyed it!
I enjoyed reading the interview. I’m also craving! Those foods looks delicious! 😉
@Gervie, thanks so glad you enjoyed it! I notice you are from Poland, what is your favorite food from your area of the world?
The food looked really delicious, I need to eat more fish!
What’s your favorite foodie movie?
@Leela, I’ll have to check with Gaby. Mine’s Vatel…how about you?
the picture of the fish makes me drools and hungry 😀 looks yum!
Thanks for sharing such a nice interview with Gab 🙂
@Clint, I know! It looks so delicious!
It must be so much fun, to be able to travel around and try different foods, I totally want to do that at some point after the kids are all grown up and moved on..
@Natalie, you can go on small adventures with the kids and gradually do bigger trips as the kids get older. I grew up traveling and loved it!
I like Big Night.
Wow dream kitchen!! Guac is a comfort food for me too, think I have to make some today!
I went through your food posts today, Andi. This one is great. I’m following her now.