Kristina Stosek is a gluten-free recipe developer. She enjoys living a healthy lifestyle and is the author of “Entertaining The Gluten-Free Way.” Becoming gluten-free was a learning experience for her and her family after a medical diagnosis was given to her daughter. Today they enjoy life and food once again.
What was your best/favorite subject in school?
This is an interesting question. I loved home economics which included cooking. I started cooking when I was very young and always found it very easy to create recipes. It just came very naturally to me. I would read a recipe and then do my version of it. However, having said that my favourite subject was math. I loved solving math questions. It was challenging, and that is what made it so interesting to me. To date I love math, creating budgets, balancing finances and forecasting expenses
What was your first job?
My very first job was working for McDonald’s. I was sixteen years old in high school, and every lunch hour I would run over to McDonald’s and work for 45 minutes. I got paid well and got a free lunch. So this was win-win all the way.
Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
I was working as a chief financial officer for a publishing company, and we published mostly cookbooks. I met some of the stars from cooking shows, like Anna Olson, Curtis Stone, Michael Smith
How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
Because I was involved in the development of cookbooks, I learned some of the basics such as food styling, photography and design. I published two cookbooks “Small Bites The Gluten-Free Way” and “Entertaining The Gluten-Free Way” in the first year. Both of the cookbooks have healthy gluten-free recipes that are simple to make. In the process of development of these cookbooks, I did all the photography, food styling and design. However, I did need professional editing. That is not my forte.
Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
I don’t know if I could pinpoint one particular day as the best day of work. There are many, but when I am developing recipes, and it takes me one week to make the recipe so it is perfect that would be my best day. When it comes to gluten-free baking, it takes me many tries to create that perfect balance of ingredients to make the food taste delicious. At least for me, it is, I consider myself a perfectionist. When it comes to publishing my recipes on the website they have to be the best. There are many recipes I have not published because I felt they did not make the cut.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
This is easy. I love to watch cooking channels, and then start creating my recipes. When I decide to create a new recipe it is like art, I am creating a beautiful painting, and I keep working on it until it is perfect. I must admit I never follow recipes. For example if I was making a tomato soup the only ingredient from a recipe that I would use is the tomato. Then I start playing with herbs and spices and various broths until the dish tastes the way I like it. This is why my recipes are so unique. I love to cook ethnic dishes where I get to use a variety of spices, so much fun!
What kind of business ideas excite you most?
I would love to do a cooking show. I think being out there for people to get to know the chef behind the scenes is important. I would also like to create healthy gluten-free recipes for major companies. I find that many gluten-free products that are currently available are not very tasty and not that healthy. The selection needs to improve, and the costs need to become more reasonable.
Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
Unorthodox? Definitely not. I believe in hard work and perseverance.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
This is an easy answer. I am most proud of raising my children. They are honest, hardworking, kind and successful. I believe being a parent is one of the most challenging roles in life, and when you know you have succeeded it is the most important achievement anyone can accomplish.
What wisdom would you have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
Never give up at what you believe in. Keep working hard even if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. It will come. I believe that if you work hard and do your research, you will succeed. It is as simple as that.
You can find Kristina on social media too!
Facebook |Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest