Cathy Connally Interview Published on: 03, Dec 2021

What is something that you really miss from your childhood?

Baking with my mother. We used to bake cookies together.

How did you start your culinary career at the age of nine?

It really was not a great start. Almost burned down the kitchen. But other treats came out of the oven later that were pretty good.

Were you an avid reader as a child? Do you still read books?

I used to read a lot of biographies as a child. Now I read a few books a week, mostly fiction or about Italy, the subject of my second book.

Do you remember the first dish you learned to cook?

Definitely cookies as I used to be a fan of raw cookie dough. Now I don’t have to worry about raw cookie dough because I bake vegan treats which don’t use raw eggs.

When did it first strike you to write your own book?

I wanted to share my story and that of my co-author Charley Best about travels and how it opens your eyes to other cultures, beautiful scenery and exceptional food. But as a child, I had a liver problem that was solved by eating artichokes. In fact they were prescribed by a French doctor, not pills. That began my journey looking at food as medicine. That was the inspiration for the book and presenting beautiful scenery and stories from France along with healthier takes on recipes.

Why did you decide to make "Flavours with Benefits" a series?

It was a fun catchy way to get attention and let people know that food can be healthy and great tasting. Flavour with Benefits™ is in fact trademarked.

How much time did you spend researching for your book, Flavour with Benefits: France?

About a year.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

Have an easy to read style that is light and fun and has some humour.

Is it better to follow a cook book or experiment?

Both. I never do a recipe the way someone presents it in a book. I always edit.

What elements in a cooking book makes it great?

Well our book series is not a cookbook. It is a series of lifestyle books that feature exciting travel destinations and healthy food options.

What are the steps that should be taken for a culinary career?

You should follow your passion.

Is doing a foreign language helpful in this career?

It can help but it is not an impediment.

At what point in their culinary career can an individual call themselves a "Chef"?

I don’t know that I am qualified to answer that one. I am self taught. There are not many culinary schools that feature oil free vegan cooking and baking. So I have made my own way.

What was your reaction when you first won a Betty Crocker Award?

I laughed because I had no intention of being domestic at the time. I was good at math and knew how to sew and that is how I won.

What are some of your plans for the future?

Get the word out to millions of people and help them live a healthy lifestyle, Flavour with Benefits.

Are you working on a new project at the moment?

The second book is Flavour with Benefits: Sicily & Calabria – due out April 2022

When did you join AllAuthor?

About 6 months ago

How has your experience been?

Good and I like the cover art they present. Nice to follow different authors as well. Nicely done.

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