The Tuesday Thirteen

Kelsey Banfield, The Naptime Chef

If you’ve never heard of her, it’s time to get to know her. She spawned a successful career from her blog – that started from the idea of taking advantage of nap time. From blog to cookbooks to television spots, Kelsey Banfield has made her name as the Naptime Chef.

1.

Tell us what The Naptime Chef is all about and how you came up with the concept.

Kelsey  When my daughter was born I was totally thrown off on how to cook all of our favorite meals with a baby in the house. After a couple months of failed meals I started cooking and baking when she was napping. That became my time in the kitchen to enjoy cooking and it was also when I would put together great meals for my family.

2.

I can totally relate to your concept as I have spent many a days cooking with the Baby Bjorn! What was your biggest struggle when trying to bring this whole thing to fruition?

Kelsey  A lot of people dismissed the idea because their kids didn’t nap, or they want to nap when their kids nap, but being a naptime chef is about organized cooking. I don’t expect people to cook for entire two hour naptimes every day. It is about cooking when the kids are out of the house or you have a little bit of downtime. It is really about enjoying cooking and preparing earlier in the day.

 3.

Congrats on publishing your first cookbook, The Naptime Chef: Fitting Great Food Into Family Life. Is it tough being a blogger and writing a cookbook at the same time? Tell me your strategies for keeping your recipes under wraps.

Kelsey  It was definitely tough! I am a pretty organized person and thank goodness for Google docs. I loved the process of writing. I would separate my blog recipes from my book recipes by doing book recipes earlier in the week and blog recipes later in the week. The result is my book which contains nearly all new recipes. I included a few of my blog all-stars, but really concentrated on lots of great new ones.

4.

You are currently on a book tour for The Naptime chef (sadly, I just missed you in San Francisco!). Is it overwhelming or is it everything you thought it would be? Maybe a little of both?

Kelsey  It is definitely overwhelming, but so much fun. I have loved visiting all the cities, going on different television stations, and meeting lots of fans. I am so grateful for everyone coming out to enjoy the tour and for my warm reception everywhere.

5.

How long did it take you to write your cookbook? Can you remember any funny hiccups along the way?

Kelsey  It took me about 8 months to write the book. After that I spent a few more months editing and working with my editor on layout and photographer. We didn’t have any unexpected hiccups. However, there were a few weeks when I felt like I was racing against the clock, then other times when I felt like I had nothing to do.

6.

Is there anyone in particular that influences or inspires your cooking style?

Kelsey  I am a home cook and am inspired by other home cooks. I love Nigella, Tessa Kiros, Ina Garten, and my fellow bloggers. I love watching what other people cook in their real home kitchens and how they manage their time in making great food.

7.

How would you say a good cook becomes better?

Kelsey  Like anything – practice! I certainly have had plenty of recipe bombs, but that is how I improve. Also, read a lot and don’t be afraid to try something new. A new ingredients can inspire a whole new recipe and cooking style!

8.

You also have a cooking show that you started out filming on your own. What made you decide to add a show to your blog?

Kelsey  I felt like it was a little boring for me to just write about food so I started filming it too. I like to work on television so a home grown cooking show seemed like the best way to bring that into the blog.

9.

The Naptime Chef Cooking Show is now professionally produced, but what kind of equipment did you use when your first started filming?

Kelsey  It has been professionally produced for different projects. Depending on the producer I’ll film it myself with my own handheld HD camera, or I’ll have a whole team in my kitchen.

10.

You have been featured (and written for) many publications, and also done television guest spots. What has contributed the most to the success of The Naptime Chef?

Kelsey  It is definitely a mix of everything. I am so lucky to have had such wonderful exposure. My favorite thing is to be on television and that definitely helps me reach a wide audience.

11.

Your life is clearly a full time job and you also have a family to take care of. How do you keep track of everything and what do you do to unwind at the end of the day?

Kelsey  I love to read and that is my favorite way to unwind. I am constantly reading novels. I also like to exercise, that is a great way to unwind!

12.

What is your favorite baked good that you would recommend I make tonight?

Kelsey  Right now I am all about rhubarb! I would recommend a Rhubarb Yogurt Cake. It is so moist and delicious and is even a good thing to serve for breakfast!

Thirteen.

What is next for Kelsey Banfield and “The Naptime Chef”?

Kelsey  I would love to write another book and I have a few projects in the works. Stay tuned!

We will definitely stay tuned, thank you for a lovely interview! You can catch Kelsey at her blog, The Naptime Chef, and on other social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. View the latest Naptime Chef Cooking Show episodes on YouTube.

The Tuesday Thirteen is an interview series that asks thirteen questions to your favorite people in food. If you have questions you are curious to ask food bloggers, cookbook authors, publicists, food photographers, etc., please send your questions to miranda@mangoesandchutney.com.