Meet Karen
I’m Karen! I’m so glad you’re here.
I’m Karen Tedesco, a professionally trained chef and cookbook author of Family Style: Shared Plates for Casual Feasts.
I have to confess right off that bat that I’m pretty much always craving some particular thing to eat or cook. That must explain why I love what I do, and I love to talk about it! My appetite is sparked by the sensuality of food — all the colors, textures and smells.
My goal is to help make cooking easier and more approachable, and to create meals that taste as delicious as possible!
Read more about Familystyle Food here.
My expertise
- Professional training: Soon after college, I talked my way into some top-tier restaurant kitchens. I’m grateful for all the skills I picked up along the way, including understanding how food science works in cooking, and how to approach recipe development.
- From 2007-2014, I was a cooking teacher and personal chef. I created and cooked everything from fancy dinner parties and freezer-ready weeknight meals for my clients, all families who wanted simple, home-cooked food.
- Food journalism and editorial experience: As a contributor to magazines and newspapers and a former food editor at the Village Voice in New York City, I learned how to tell compelling food stories, develop recipes for a broad audience, and sharpen my skills in both writing and editing. This background continues in my work today — I approach every recipe and post on Familystyle Food with a blend of creativity, accuracy, and clarity.