About

Welcome to Blue Jean Gourmet!  BJG is based in Houston, Texas and powered by the lovely people you see below.  We post twice a week–and will never bother you with recipes that aren’t worth your time.  Have a question or suggestion for us?

Email: bluejeangourmet (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks again for stopping by!

Nishta, Blue Jean Gourmet (follow me on Twitter)

I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, which accounts for a lot of things (see: love of pulled pork barbecue, insistence on calling all sodas “Coke,” inability to leave the house without my toenails painted). I’m also the first-generation daughter of Indian immigrants, so I learned to cook at my mother‘s hip and developed my adventurous palate by mirroring my epicurean father.  Cooking is my absolute favorite way to display affection.

Outside of the kitchen, I spend my days teaching English to some awesome eighth-grade punks. I’m also currently at work on a memoir.

Jill, Blue Jean spouse & food stylist (follow her on Twitter)

In addition to being an incredibly tolerant spouse (see: piles of dishes in the sink & open cabinets) and instinctive food stylist, Jill happens to be a total badass in her professional life as a scholar, writer, & speaker. Culinarily speaking, Jill grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana with an incredible, cast-iron cook of a mother; that’s why she handles all of the cornbread in our family. She’s also grill-master, vegetable gardener, bird hunter, and the love of my life.

Sonya, Blue Jean photographer (follow her on Twitter)

An incredibly talented, self-taught photographer and painter, Sonya generously lends her talents to the Blue Jean Kitchen. Unless otherwise noted, all of the photographs on this site are attributable to her. Sonya is also most often the Blue Jean Kitchen DJ, forcing us to stop & dance from time to time. For all of her hard work, we reward Sonya with margaritas and fried plantains, her favorites.

Heather, Blue Jean technology goddess (follow her on Twitter)

Thank goodness for Heather! Her knowledge of all things web-related and her generosity in sharing that knowledge allowed for the birth of Blue Jean Gourmet. In addition to patiently guiding me through this wild, wiki-fied world, Heather spends her days being a hip librarian, art historian, committed vegetarian, & awesome stepmom.

Anders, Blue Jean Sommelier

Anders is a native of Camden, Maine and proud owner of omnivorous and transient tendencies that have led him to live and eat extensively in Europe, Central America and now in Washington State.  Currently, he is the Sales and Marketing Director for Gilbert Cellars Winery in Yakima, WA.  Anders has received his level I and II certifications from the International Sommelier Guild.  When it comes to wine, he takes a pirate approach, advocating “guidelines not rules,” making wine accessible and fun for everyone.