Hey friend, I’m Nancy! So nice to meet you!
Welcome to my kitchen table, where I celebrate delicious food that our hearts and tummies can savor. Here, you will find easy and flavorful recipes ranging from everyday staples, healthy meal prep, soul-touching suppers, and indulgent desserts. My culinary forte is bold and luscious feel-good-food that is unpretentious and approachable.
I am utterly, wholeheartedly in love with food! Parmesan has changed my life. A perfectly fried egg with crispy edges makes me sing. I became a new woman the day I learned to make artisan bread. French fries and deep-dish pizza will never do me wrong. I owe my marriage to a cupcake (read all about it here)! You see, it is an out-of-control kind of love that I cannot seem to justify – I mean, do tacos dream of me too?
For me, food has been more about chasing a feeling than satisfying a craving. I love creating inspired moments with food – curating meals that tug at the heart and evoke great memories with loved ones. I strive to bring humanity into my cooking. Food is personal and honest. It allows me to be authentic, and therefore, even imperfect.
What You’ll Find at The Golden Gourmand
On this site, you’ll discover a very special collection of recipes curated to celebrate everyday moments and cherish time with loved ones. Here, it’s all about truly great food—always! I’m a self-taught home cook. I believe in eating well, and these dishes are designed to suit home cooks with busy lifestyles. They’re simple to prepare, made with familiar ingredients, and focused on bringing out incredible flavors and textures. The secret to elevating easy meals into memorable experiences lies in these little details. Everyday food can absolutely be easy, delicious, and wonderfully exciting!
Each day holds its own goodness to be celebrated, no matter how ordinary or routine it may seem. There is so much joy to be found in the simple, daily “things”. I live a very real, busy, and normal life (despite my self-given golden title!). I often feel the weight of life’s demands. This motivates me to find smarter, more efficient ways to prepare food. I constantly turn to these dishes to intentionally create joy in my day. Several of them are perfect for entertaining. Honestly, these recipes are a piece of my heart.
In Gatherings, I share delectable dinner and party menus for life’s celebrations and occasions. I rave about restaurants I love and the dishes that formed my own food memories. I recollect about the food, décor, and good times from my real-life gatherings. I’ll also share some useful hospitality and entertaining know-how that I’ve “earned” through lots, and I mean lots, of trial and error.
I share my random life musings in Shiny Pennies. You’ll get the full low-down on my must-have favorite things. I’ll share authentic, heartfelt reflections on the real-life lessons I’ve learned—touching on faith, gratitude, relationships, wellness, and womanhood. You’ll also find way too many photos of my furry babies – I promise they are huge foodies, too!
Get to Know Me
I’m a Northern California native and work as a corporate finance professional in the health care industry. I love the Lord and strive to glorify Him in my love for others. I’m a wife to The Hubs, who was born with the spirit of a cowboy. Once I (recently) realized this, everything about him made sense! Talk about mind-blown. I’m a dog mom to a blue-nose pitbull named Kimo, and a dog auntie to Marley, an English bulldog. They are the most dedicated and eager taste-testers!
I love dramatic reality TV, Jeep rides, spa days, Target, skin care, perfume, and hip-hop dance. I’m crazy for the Golden State Warriors and The Golden Girls. I can happily live off street tacos, French fries, and Vietnamese eggrolls. Peach iced tea and Malibu Rum steal my heart too!
After a lifetime in the bustling Bay Area, we recently moved quite a distance to a more quiet, rural town. Life here is certainly simple and slower, but our new home ground has proven to be very inspiring. It is a vibrant food and wine region that is abundant with farms, orchards, and vineyards. I’ve had the best chicken shawarma of my life here! The almond trees in full bloom during late winter are among the most breathtakingly beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. The regional Zinfandel has a wonderfully robust character that is both unapologetically bold and expressive. I’m having the best time exploring the local food that sparks new adventures and traditions in my kitchen.
During the summer of 2024, when I founded The Golden Gourmand, I was diagnosed with endometrial/uterine cancer. After a lifetime of battling countless insecurities, I finally realized that I mattered – to myself – and was worth fighting for. Today, I am humbled, proud, and deeply grateful to be cancer-free. Throughout this fight for my life, the kitchen became my safe haven. Crafting nutrient-dense meals has fortified my body and soul to feel alive and well-nourished. It has revived my spirit, making me feel vibrant and whole. Cooking gave me a sense of control during my most devastating season, a time filled with countless questions and uncertainties. I discovered that cooking is my super power – not because of any culinary skill, but because it allows me to express love and actively care for my health and well-being. It is a super power available for you to harness as well.
I have wanted a food blog for ages, but I let my fear of failure hold me back. It’s time now. This site is my passion project of authentic, limitless self-expression.
I hope you find inspiration and freedom here to celebrate you, your life, and loved ones. You are a Golden Blessing, after all.
Join Me!
The essence of The Golden Gourmand is about embracing connections while living life fully and wholeheartedly. I’d love to connect with you! Please feel free to reach out by posting a comment or question, sending an email, or visiting me on social media. I’ll get back to you!
I truly appreciate you for welcoming me into your kitchen. I treasure your support with a full and grateful heart – thank you!
Stay Golden,
Nancy