Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
We’re ushering in 2015 with a dash of charm, a sprinkle of etiquette, and a heaping cup of clout. Fully inspired by a new season of Downton Abbey and eating up the latest frivolities and follies of the Crawley family, we turn to Pamela Foster, our Lady Geek of the Week.
With a passion for food and a degree in history, Foster’s the chef-in-chief of Downton Abbey Cooks, a blog devoted to the recipes and menus of our favorite fictional Yorkshire country estate. Foster’s also published “Abbey Cooks Entertain,” a cookbook of over 220 recipes for Downton-inspired entertaining throughout the year.
Follow Foster’s wise words and in no time, your command of the kitchen will rival Mrs. Patmore’s.
In the meantime, check out Foster’s Q&A with Being Geek Chic, and learn how it all started…
Q: How did you discover your passion for historical cooking?
A: I always had an interest in cooking and I learned how to cook traditional family dishes with through my grandmothers. I focused my degree in social history since I was more interested in how people lived than the tales of the conquerors. But it was a binge session of Downton Abbey S1 which sparked my desire to share my knowledge and passion with fellow fans.
Q: Where do you find your inspiration in life?
A: Chocolate. Do I need to say more?!
Q: Favorite Downton dish?
A: My favorite dish has to be the chicken which fell on the floor, promptly snatched by one of the barn cats. After it was rescued it was brushed off and served. What happens in the kitchen stays in the kitchen—remember that the next time you dine out!
Q: If you could take any Downton character out for a drink, whom would you choose and what would you drink?
A: I have always had a soft spot for Daisy. We see her character grow up throughout the seasons. Since she is not much of a drinker we would put the kettle on. I would treat her to a scrumptious Afternoon Tea with tea and treats.
Q: What would you tell your 13-year-old self?
A: Your horse is not the love of your life. Your tall, dark and handsome prince charming will come along to sweep you off your feet. You will be waiting a long time, but it will be worth it. His noble English roots will inspire and support you while you share your love of the food of Downton Abbey. You will even write a cookbook to help fans entertain family and fellow fans in the spirit of Downton.
Emma Bauer is a Being Geek Chic Contributor. Clearly, she’s got great taste. She is a PR enthusiast, dog lover, tea drinker, art appreciator, and of course, aspires to Be Geek Chic. Follow her on Twitter: @emmalynnbauer
If you’ve been cooking along with us through the nerdy recipe series, you’ll want to pass this link on to the Santas in your life.
Whether you see yourself most as a Jedi-in-training, a Browncoat, the Doctor’s companion, your district’s tribute or you’re just a straight up geek, we’ve found a gift for you.
(You can make your life easier by clicking on this Pinboard and getting links to every item that way as well!)
Amazon is a good catch-all for geeky gifts. And searching “prime-eligible” can help to cut down on shipping costs. You’ll find gems like:
Looking for something with a handmade touch? Etsy is your best bet. They even have a section called "Geekery,” where you’ll find gifts like:
If you’re truly geeky, you may already be familiar with the site thinkgeek.com, which sells all matter of geek-related paraphernalia. This is where you’ll find:
If you’re insisting on hitting up the mall and shopping for your favorite nerdy chef, Williams Sonoma is an unlikely bricks-and-mortar store where you can find some geeky gifts:
Emma Carew Grovum is a data journalist working at the Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. She previously worked as the Digital Editor for The Cooking Club of America and blogs at kitchendreamer.blogspot.com Emma loves Star Wars, pandas and all things Joss Whedon. Find her on twitter at @emmacarew.
Maybe it’s because I’m just returning from the woods. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been doing the wedding registry gift buying routine. Or maybe because I’m seeking simplicity in everything in my life. Either way, I think this is a topic we must discuss.
You totally don’t need that quesadilla maker.
Or that waffle iron.
Or that specialty donut hole cooker.
Seriously, I mean it. You don’t have the space. You won’t use it. If you don’t think at least once a week, “shoot, I really wish I had X,” then you probably don’t need it.
Got it?
Repeat after me: I will not buy specialized home items that are/were created for one highly specific food-related task which could otherwise be replicated by the normal kitchen tools that society has already deemed totally workable and usable for multiple food cooking and prepping activities.
This became a weird - pseudo public service announcement. For that, I apologize. However, now that I’ve saved you approximately $80 in unnecessary kitchen appliances, let’s talk about what you could buy instead.
Star Trek Sporks. Really, sporks. I know you miss these delightful products of your bygone cafeteria going days. It’s a SPOON AND A FORK FOR GOD’S SAKE. MULTI-TASKING UTILITARIANISM.
This Benedict Cumberbatch art print. Oh the joy this fills me with. Yes, the non-caloric joy of this poster is more beneficial to your health than a donut cooker.
A LEGO Lord of the Rings set. I mean, does this require argument. Look at those cute little mini hobbit legs?!
Ray-Ban Sunglasses
. Because every girl should have a pair. Your eyes deserve it.
Essie Nail Polish. I say screw cooking. Get a manicure instead.
If you haven’t figured out what to do to remain patient while you wait for The Hunger Games to come out, then I suggest you pick up Emily Ansara Baines’s The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook and make every dish in it.
While we all love food, this isn’t just any food. This is:
- French Bread from the Mellark Family Bakery
- Katniss’s Favorite Lamb Stew with Dried Plums
- Rue’s Roasted Parsnips
- Gale’s Bone-Pickin’ Big Game Soup
- Capitol-Grade Dark Chocolate Cake
Yeah, that’s cool.
One of the best parts about this book is that each recipe is paired with a reference to where the food is first seen in the book, complete with context. This is the kind of things that nerds like myself really appreciate, because I will go back and read that exact page to get into the spirit of it all.
And I’m not the only one giving this book rave reviews.
“Hungry for the dishes served up in Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy? The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook: From Lamb Stew to "Groosling” is ready to rock fans’ kitchens.“ —USA Today
Major props to Emily for putting the time in to make this awesome cookbook. As if she couldn’t get any more AWESOME, she’s also working on the forthcoming Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook.
One of the unexpected ways that I regularly use my iPad 2 is for watching TV shows and catching up on podcasts while cooking and cleaning. Multitasking is becoming my middle name, which is why I’ve been checking out a couple different stands for my devices. The Apple Smart Cover is great for horizontal positioning of the iPad, but some things just work better vertical.
I know I can’t be the only one who multitasks with my tech in the home, so here’s some stands that might help with recipes, tv watching and more.
The Targus mini stand (pictured above) has three things going for it: durable acrylic, secure hold on the tablet and it’s super affordable. It’s only $15 on Amazon and the acrylic is what caught my eye right away - it’d be easy to clean and sleek to look at. Plus, you can keep your smart cover on and it will still fit.
The Groovy Stand is sleek and perfect for minimalists. The simple wood block comes in a variety of stains and angles, so you can go for something like the one at left, which is standing at 18 degrees or opt for a 45 degree angle. Wood makes perfect sense in the kitchen when you’re surrounded by cabinets, so pick a stand that matches your home. The best part? They start at only $10.95. That price is truly tough to beat. For the Kindle lovers out there, you’ll be pleased to hear that a version of the Groovy Stand will be available in November for the Kindle Fire.
The Mobile Mount is a product currently seeking backing on Kickstarter, but we’re pretty confident this one will happen. For $25, you can secure your purchase of a Mobile Mount with suction cups for a wide range of devices. The reason this particular mount caught my eye was because you could use the suction cup to secure your iPad/iPhone/tablet to the counter top and won’t have to worry about it falling over, or worse, off the counter. For $25, that’s a great insurance policy on your precious tech.
