KC the Kitchen Chopper's interview
Interview by LydiaWe interviewed KC the Kitchen Chopper!
Visit the blog: The Kitchen Chopper.
"Everyone has to eat, why not make your meals as delicious and healthy as possible. That’s my passion."
Hello KC the Kitchen Chopper, so tell us...
When did you begin your blog, and what inspired you to start it?
I started my blog about 2 years ago. I was lucky enough to procure a sponsor for my Chopped concept at a time when I had only a rudimentary Chopped cookbook written. I showed it to a friend who owned a salad topping company and he commissioned me to put together a booklet using his products as ingredients in my Chopped. I had no personal social media pages or sites at the time and needed to get involved quickly in order to promote the booklet. So in the span of 6 months I created a facebook fan page, a twitter handle, and a website. I had no idea how to admin any of these sites, but I quickly put my mind to it. The whole blog process has been taken in what I consider baby steps.
Are you involved in the blogging community - how do you attract new readers?
Because I started with a cookbook in mind and only posting recipes, I still have a hard time thinking of myself as a blogger, but I guess at this point, I am. I’m creating a Kitchen Chopper presence on a few “linky” sites, such as Blogher, FoodieBlogRoll and ShowStopperSaturday. I funnel readers into my website via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Youtube and just recently Instagram. Slowly but surely I’m acquiring more eyeballs.
If you could be a contestant or guest on any cooking show what show would you choose?
For years, The Food Network has been my default TV channel. I would love to cook alongside Giada or Ina. They look like they have a lot of fun. I, of course, would want to enlighten them about The Chopped concept of healthful eating. Every once in a while they’ll do a healthful meal, but I could make a whole show of Chopped categories and recipes.
You say you went from Kitchen Coward to Kitchen creative. How did you develop your confidence in the kitchen?
Until just a few years ago I was known as the friend who didn’t cook. When I told a friend I was writing a cookbook, she exclaimed, but you don’t cook! Exactly, I said. I told her, “I have created a concept where you don’t have to be a great cook to put a quick, easy, healthful, and delicious meal on the table”. Shhhh!, no one will be the wiser. I call The Chopped “The Big Cheat”. When you chop a Chopped you don’t have to make an individual entre, side dish, carb, and salad. The original Chopped is a Full Balanced Meal in a Bowl that you eat with a spoon to get all the goodies. The beauty of this is all your cooked ingredients are very basic. The ingredients are not really “stand alone” dishes. Basic proteins, raw and cooked/roasted veggies, plain Grains cooked in Broth for extra flavor and PED’s…Palate Enhancing Delights like small amounts of Cheese, Nuts, Dried Fruit or Avocado. The use of leftovers as ingredients makes The Chopped inexpensive as well. I buy enough fresh ingredients for 4-5 days of Chopped. Since I make a Chopped every night, I use them all up, no waste and cost effective. I initially took ideas from common salads like Caesar, Greek, Mediterranean and added grains and proteins. The Hubby says the one thing that sets The Chopped apart are my Chopped Style Dressings. You can’t find these super flavorful “coatings” anywhere else, certainly not in bottles. I created my "It's a Template, Not a Recipe" method for pulling a meal together easily, and also deliciously. With a few successes under my knife I started experimenting with my own combos. I don’t do well with following recipes, (which is why I don’t bake). I realized the versatility of my template let me create a different Chopped every night. People can’t believe I chop a Chopped almost every night and we’re never bored. My “cockiness” grew when I started serving The Chopped to friends…they loved the idea and all the healthful ingredients they were eating…some of which they didn’t even know they liked. I can now entertain family and friends with confidence. I just have to hope they don’t ask me to bake a cake!
Is there any dish, ingredient or type of food you refuse to cook?
I do try to stay in the healthful category of ingredients. But like I said with The Chopped I can throw in a few PED’s “Palate Enhancing Delights” without making the Chopped unhealthful. Someone challenged me to chop a Chopped using Pork Rinds. It didn’t turn out half bad. It’s not on my “revisit” list however! I did chop one with leftover French fries and burger meat. I made a dressing with an homage to the burger condiments. That one was a winner with the kiddies! J
When you have a last minute get together, what are your go to dishes?
The Chopped! I always have ingredients on hand and leftovers to make a Chopped at any time. In fact, when asked over to dinner, most friends want to know what Chopped we’re having. They all know that they’re going to get a delish and healthful meal at what The Hubby lovingly calls “Chez KC”.
What are your goals for your blog? Where would you like to see it in the next year? Five years?
I learn something new every day concerning my blog/website. One of the most important perks of having a blog is keeping my brain active. I’m either writing out recipes, posting pics of my Chopped (I didn’t have a “big girl” camera till last year) or working on expanding my knowledge of what the website should include. Widgets and Badges and Links Oh MY! Since this has been a personal learning experience for me every step of the way I’m not seeing just where the site is going in the future. To me it’s like buying an iPhone today and trying to imagine what it’ll be able to do in a year. Everything happens so quickly and there’s so much to investigate. I take it a day at a time and have an open mind for new adventures along the way. Who knows what websites will be like in 5 years. At this point I’m just learning what information to glean that will be valuable to me in the near future. I’m thinking of hiring a website guru to walk me around all the Choppertunities that exist for making my site as user friendly, interactive and sociable as possible. I would like to find out how to monetize with affiliates that I believe in. I also have a few product ideas I think would be invaluable in kitchens everywhere. I do believe authenticity is a huge part of my success so far. I talk the talk and walk the walk.
Anything else you would like to share?
Getting The Chopped concept out to the masses is a labor of love. As a personal trainer in the Beverly Hills area for 20 years I see the struggle people have with healthful eating. They think it’s expensive, difficult and not very tasty. Everyone should exercise to stay fit. That’s my day job. (I do love helping people get fit, so maybe it’s not really a “job”!) Everyone has to eat, why not make your meals as delicious and healthy as possible. That’s my passion.
As I always say “Get Your Spoons Ready!”
Thank you KC the Kitchen Chopper for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Lydia - 10/11/2013
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