Cooking is a joy and eating has always been a pleasure.  That’s why the kitchen is a happy sanctuary for me. 

Dad’s passionately tended garden provided colourful inspiration for meals and Mom’s creativity with the ingredients never ceased to amaze me.  I was inspired and encouraged from the age of 2 to grow food, prepare food and serve it to give others pleasure as well.  I was hooked!

What started in my formative years as playtime and a game has continued to follow me through life.

I began assisting Lucy Waverman and her guest chefs at The Cooking School in Toronto.  My proficiency with basic cooking techniques expanded as the years passed and the importance food plays in all our lives was reinforced as I married, raised kids and shared by cooking for friends and family.

My food business grew as did my family.  I developed recipes for food companies, taught cooking classes at home, as fundraisers and team-building experiences and coordinated cooking schools for corporations.  Throughout these years I shared my food knowledge and tips in a weekly newspaper food page – Simple Pleasures and Questions for Quigley.  Media demos followed and I became co-owner of a 400 seat bar/restaurant.  The custom and corporate catering was a natural evolution – organizing intimate celebrations for 8 or preparing cocktails for 600.

It is a busy life, yes, but very satisfying to bring such food pleasure to so many.  My kids are married now, have babies of their own and miles away, but my hope is that I can inspire people to head into the kitchen and rediscover or learn the gratification of home cooking and the satisfaction that comes from sharing it with others.

Cook with passion, pleasure, kindness and interest.  Good cooking really is all about making yourself feel good – in the kitchen and at the table.  If you’re happy, your friends and family will be happy AND well fed.

It should truly be about Simple Pleasures!