Private Chef, Writer & Podcaster
Growing up in a household full of brothers but shaped by strong women, I learned early that respect isn’t optional—especially in male-dominated kitchens. As a private chef living with sarcoidosis and heart failure, I’ve seen how words, attitudes, and compassion impact everyone. Here’s how childhood, chronic illness, and the culinary world taught me why speaking up matters.
If you’ve ever wanted to hear my blog posts read aloud—sarcasm, soul, and all—then you’re in luck. My new podcast Borrowed Air is the audio version of my life: a mix of chronic illness reflections, creative chaos, and a chef’s musings from the edge of exhaustion. Perfect for anyone who loves real stories told with humor, heart, and honesty.
Let’s be honest—writing is magical. It’s an escape, a liberation, a way to build worlds out of nothing but thought and feeling. Few things compare to the thrill of crafting a story that flows from your imagination to the page. But there’s a shadow trailing that magic: publishing and promotion. And if I’m being fully …
Continue reading "The Love-Hate Relationship with Publishing: Writing vs. Promotion"
There’s something about having a book read to you that feels both intimate and practical. While I still love to sit down and physically read—especially in bed, where it’s become my nightly ritual—I also enjoy listening to books throughout my day, particularly while I’m working. As someone who juggles a few different roles—private chef, writer, …
Continue reading "How I Listen to Kindle Books Without Audiobooks (Thanks to Siri)"
I’ve been blogging for fifteen years. It started under an assumed name, on a blog about my life with sarcoidosis. It wasn’t supposed to be anything big—just a way to cope, to process, to reach out into the void. But it turned out a lot of people were out there, searching for the same thing …
Continue reading "Is Blogging Dead? (And Why I’m Still Here Anyway)"
Tate Basildon 