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If you’re reading this, you likely know that I, the author of this blog, am the daughter of Chef Shannon McKinney. I’m a self proclaimed foodie and honestly, a little bit of a food snob. I’m also a nutritionist. But because of my foodie nature and upbringing, I look at food and health and wellness a bit differently than many others in the space. I think that the combination of expertise in nutrition and a deep love of the restaurant industry allows for a really unique approach to food in that while I believe and teach that food IS fuel (meant to help our body function the best it possibly can), I ALSO believe that food has much deeper meaning. It tells a story. It teaches history. It’s an art form. It’s a sign of respect and of love and caring. It promotes connection and bonding.

When I launched my wellness events company, I knew that I wanted to work with my dad at the retreats I would host. In 2019, I got to witness that dream becoming reality when he taught a cooking class at my first long weekend event using principles that I taught in my nutrition workshop earlier that day! It was received SO well and we had SO much fun that we decided to keep things going at my next event.

2020 happened and well … there were no events. But NOW it’s 2021 and this fall, Chef Dad and I are back in action! I’m hosting a retreat in the Asheville, NC area and after I teach a workshop on mindful eating, Dad will be teaching another cooking class to help attendees understand how to turn basic ingredients into something truly beautiful (and tasty, of course).

Rather than write about the approach we take at events like this, I thought I’d just share a live video we streamed earlier this year. A casual conversation about food between a chef and his nutritionist daughter. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments!

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CK7diFKF622/?igshid=m6c1y6klcbyc

And if this event sounds like something you’d enjoy … there is ONE ROOM LEFT! Comment here and I’ll send over details!

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Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

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