About Me... The Saucy Girl
My name is Helena and the truth is that I am obsessed with food...
I am fortunate to have come from a family of wonderful cooks, some professionally and some in just their own kitchens. I have been influenced by them all, but mostly my Italian grandparents, Attilio & Mary, my father's parents. Attilio was a Professional Chef in a large hotel in Baltimore in the 50's and on. Some of my earliest food memories are as a little girl going to the huge hotel kitchens with him.
But I have to say that my fondest food memories are in my Italian grandparent's kitchen. There was always a huge pot of pasta sauce bubbling on the stove, flavoring the air with the wonderful scent of tomatoes, garlic and herbs. Roasting meats that were succulent and tender, and one could usually expect a pizza fresh out of the oven or some fresh Italian fried bread dough.
On my mother's side, Helen and Bill - my Austrian & Hungarian grandparents, were both wonderful cooks. Almost all of my memories of my Grandma Helen are of her either preparing food or serving food. My mother is an amazing cook in her own right and many a meal have I enjoyed at her table. And I cannot neglect the Swedish/Norwegian influences thrown in there by my step-mother's heritage.
I have had the privilege to experience a vast array of food from all cultures. Living in Los Angeles you don't have to travel the world... the world has come here. There is every type of food imaginable in this city.
I love all foods and all flavors. Along the way, I have created my own style, which I'd like to share with you.
Food to me meant love and family... and it still does.