How lucky am I? On completing 10 years of Food Writing

This April marked 10 years from the day my first article was published. Often through the month I wondered, what if I had not discovered food writing as a career. Where would I be?

And then today someone asked me if I still had my 1st article. I did. I went looking for it and found the cupboard where I keep all my files of food writing. If one were to physically measure my writing its in those 2 piles of box files. 

As I browsed through the pile of carefully filed articles and papers; shuddering at some of my early writing (Was I that bad?), remembering the people I met, the food I tasted, the places I travelled to… And then browsed the spiral bound rough drafts of my books, diaries of thoughts and observations… I found myself reflecting… and narcissistic as this post might be, I needed to write down how I was feeling….

How lucky have I been? No, seriously! How lucky HAVE I BEEN?

If you went back in time to the clueless 18 year old college dropout I was, who had no idea where life would lead her.  Or the 25 year old homemaker and mother I was.... Id drifted through life upto that point, had a baby to early (only because an older me could have been a better Mom). I loved my life then but the me of today thinks it was an aimless existence. 

With no qualifications whatsoever in journalism or cuisine I blundered into a dream career! I would love to say I was born to it, perhaps as a wide-eyed child at my grandmother’s knee imbibing culinary knowledge as she created wonders in her kitchen, or born with a golden quill in my hand. But I didn’t. I stumbled upon food writing as a career option somewhere in 2003 -2004. And it changed my life. Thank God!

After that, food was where my heart was. Today I live and breathe it. Its given me direction and identity. And ever since I realized that food is where my heart is, I have let it take me where it will. Food blogging, food styling, food consulting, book writing, eventually creating A Perfect Bite Consulting, opening APB Cook Studio, having my first book published.  I have met amazing people, done phenomenal work, met unbelievable challenges and traveled a most unusual path. Along the way I have gained insights and lived through experiences that now define me. Life is a delicious, exciting journey that I am gratified to be living.  Today APB Cook Studio continues to thrive. This year it will turn 3, I will turn 40. And I suspect the next 10 years of my life will be even more exciting!

Thank you to each of you that have been part of this journey I call life.  May you always stay healthy and happy…