Ashley Rodriguez

My life revolves around food. There are a few other things too; things that are incredibly important to me (husband, three kids, friends, etc.) but you will always find me thinking about food. My husband is always so amazed at my ability to eat a huge meal and while wincing in the pains of indulgence I still manage to talk about what my next meal will include. I received a B.A. in Studio Arts and minored in Secondary education. Not long after graduation I started to think about a career in food. Rather than going back to school I received incredible on the job training in some of the countries best kitchens including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago in Beverly Hills. There I worked under Sherry Yard who was named one of the top ten pastry chefs in the world. In 2006 I began a wedding cake and dessert catering business, Artisan Sweets. Around that same time I started a blog as a way to market my growing business. As our family grew my time in a commercial kitchen lessened. My focus became our family and through that notwithoutsalt.com was born in March 2009. In 2009 notwithoutsalt.com was voted #16 in the World’s Top 50 Food Blogs by the Times Online. My work has been seen in Glamour, Sunset, and Everyday Food. Online I have been featured at Saveur.com, RealSimple.com, TheKitchn.com, SundanceChannel.com, FineCooking.com, and Parenting.com. I am a regular photographer for BonAppetit.com and can also be seen on a national television ad for Finish Quantum. Recently I launched my first product; a salted chocolate chip cookie mix. Find out more at notwithoutsalt.com/shop