April Kelsey

South Carolina Born Chef. April. A Southern Food Authority And Writer, Edited, Collaborated On More Than 40 Cookbooks, Written Simple And Straightforward Advice Around Food And Nutrition, Making Suggestions For Planning Meals For Busy People Who Want Something Healthy And Nutritious Without The Need For Complex Or Time Consuming Cooking.

Firstly you need to know about me is that I'm a country Women at heart. I spent my youth on a farm in Alsace where my mother and grandmother taught me to eat and cook according to the seasons. It was there I fell in love with food--fresh herbs and vegetables and the warmth of our local flavours. Though I've been living an urban life since 1993, I'm still most at home in the country.

Since my departure from South Carolina, I've lived, trained, and cooked all over Italy, Bangkok, Singapore, India, Boston, and Houston. Now, I'm rooted in Houston.

Wherever I go, I always want to cook both globally and locally. If you've been to my restaurants, you've probably guessed that I love Asian flavours. My first trip to the open-air market in INDIA remains one of my most influential culinary experiences, and I've since adopted those herbs and spices as my own.

As for life outside the kitchen, I enjoy relaxing with my family. In the country, I often go fishing in my little pond and, while the weather's still nice, chop wood for the fireplace. In the city, I take my chefs out to eat after work and catch up with friends when we're cooking together for charity events. The green market is one of my favorite places to stroll. I guess you can see that I love food. It's my passion. It's my life.