About Me

My Dad and I celebrating his Birthday with a Bananas Foster Layer Cake

Growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana it didn’t take me very long to learn that food reigns supreme. The celebration of culinary traditions and the art of sharing those traditions with family and friends were priorities ingrained in my mind early on. In my family, special occasions and vacations were planned around a visit to a specific restaurant, and often times during meals, ideas were already being tossed around for what the plans were for the next meal later on that day!

 My Dad in particular defined my love for food by teaching me that a meal is not just about the act of eating. It is an experience that actually involves all of your senses– the colorful presentation of the plate, the warm smell of the kitchen as you cook, the lively conversations you take part in at the dinner table, the crisp texture of the bread that you break, and delightfully complimentary taste of the bottle of wine the host has chosen to serve. I learned from my culinary inspiration, my Dad, that a meal is about the total experience and who you are lucky enough to experience it with.

I am a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky in the field of Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles with a minor in Art History. After graduating from college I moved to Atlanta where I attended Georgia State University for my Masters in Business Administration. I began my career as a Financial Planner and I plan to retain my Certified Financial Planner® designation as I pursue a career in the culinary arts.

In the Spring of 2013 I completed my classwork for a Certificate in Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts here in Atlanta.  To complete this course of study I participated in an incredible 3-month culinary externship in Sorrento, Italy at the Mami Camilla cooking school and bed & breakfast.  Half of my time in Italy was spent participating in daily cooking classes, and the rest of the time spent working as a prep cook at a local restaurant, Ristorante Tasso. (www.ristorantetasso.it)

Starting in January of 2014 my personal chef business, Around Anna’s Table, LLC opened in the Atlanta area.  My long term goals in addition to  continuing to be a successful small business owner, are to teach cooking classes, write and publish cookbooks, and someday own and operate a French market and café.  I am a member of the International Associate of Culinary Professionals (https://www.iacp.com), the United States Personal Chef Association (https://www.uspca.com/) as well as the local Atlanta Chapter of the United States Personal Chef Association (http://www.atlantauspca.com/).  I am also certified on the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals.

And last but certainly not least, a nod to my wonderful husband Scott Martin who is a talented photographer (and eye behind many of the food photographs you see on my blog…) and is truly enjoying his role as ‘top taste tester’ in all of my culinary endeavors!

I hope you enjoy my blog each and every day, just as much as I enjoy creating it!

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Comments: 30

  1. Mama July 5, 2012 at 11:50 am Reply

    Loving this and YOU!

    • Personalchef07 July 5, 2012 at 12:02 pm Reply

      Thanks Mom! Love you!

  2. CHRISTY July 5, 2012 at 6:33 pm Reply

    Looking forward to pinning and eventually trying some yummy recipes! Good Luck with culinary school!

    • Personalchef07 July 5, 2012 at 7:13 pm Reply

      Thanks Christy! Hope to see you very soon!
      Anna

  3. Anne July 5, 2012 at 10:09 pm Reply

    Yay Anna! This looks great! Can’t wait to hear more about your food adventures.

  4. Mark July 5, 2012 at 11:23 pm Reply

    You are destined for greatness …

  5. Zannie July 11, 2012 at 6:44 pm Reply

    Sorry it took so long to check out your site!!! I’m glad to see you following a passion that I can endorse you have an affinity for (a certain spanakopita comes to mind). Happy studies & cool site!

  6. Personalchef07 July 11, 2012 at 7:48 pm Reply

    So good to hear from you Zannie…yes…i remember that skanikopita. A birthday I remember? Thanks for the well wishes. Hope all is well!
    Anna

  7. Elizabeth Lester August 17, 2012 at 8:45 pm Reply

    How cool! I am always willing to be used as a guinea pig for any recipes you may want to try!

    • Personalchef07 August 17, 2012 at 9:11 pm Reply

      Thanks Elizabeth! Hope you can try some recipes and let me know what you think! Hope y’all are well. 🙂

  8. Auntie Ann August 29, 2012 at 4:16 pm Reply

    Hello, Anna,

    I just talked with your mom – called her to check on her in the storm. We had a delightful chat and she told me about your blog. Love it, especially the references to your dad. I have never known anyone who loved food more! He would be so proud of your new adventure. Take care.

    Love you,

    auntie Ann

    • Personalchef07 August 29, 2012 at 5:58 pm Reply

      Thanks you for the sweet post Auntie Ann! Yes, they sure are getting slammed with the rain in Louisiana…what a shame. You are right– I definetely got the ‘food appreciation’ gene from my Dad, that’s for sure! Hope y’all are doing well.

      Anna

  9. Vallie September 9, 2012 at 6:34 pm Reply

    I am only partially through looking at your site. I was clearing out email and revisited the one where you told me about the blog. I absolutely love it! Everything sounds and looks divine! I am so excited for you. What a yummy adventure!

    • Personalchef07 September 9, 2012 at 7:26 pm Reply

      You are so sweet Vallie! I’m glad you like the site. 🙂 glad to see your Bulldogs knocked off the newbie’s of Mizzou last night. Hope to see you soon!

  10. Melissa September 21, 2012 at 6:49 am Reply

    Anna!!

    I am so super excited for you 🙂 I wish you much continued success in your culinary career.

    -Melissa

    • Personalchef07 September 21, 2012 at 8:04 am Reply

      Thank you for your sweet message Melissa! It is great to hear from you. I hope you are doing well!
      Anna

  11. Jan Steinkamp March 30, 2013 at 7:42 pm Reply

    Anna,
    I recently tried cubing the rutabagas and baked them in the oven rather than boiling them the old way. They did great with olive oil and sea salt. I’m sure the other seasoning would be good also. When will you be going to Italy?

  12. Personalchef07 March 30, 2013 at 8:40 pm Reply

    Hi Mrs. Jan! Yes, we are loving our rutabagas, Scott actually has been growing them in our garden. Hope you and Mike are doing well. I actually leave for Italy this Friday- can’t believe it’s already here! I plan on updating my blog at least weekly, so you’ll have to check back during my trip. We’ll be back in Atlanta in mid – July. 😀

  13. Jan Steinkamp March 31, 2013 at 2:47 pm Reply

    Wow!
    Have a wonderful experience and do keep us updated with your blog.
    Love,
    Jan

  14. Personalchef07 March 31, 2013 at 3:37 pm Reply

    Thank you Mrs. Jan! I will.

    Anna

  15. Theresa Warren April 5, 2013 at 11:52 am Reply

    Anna, this blog is fabulous! Who knew you could write! It is truly a privilege to have a multi-talented friend like you! You are definitely putting your LeCordon education and Home Training to it’s highest use! I feel confident you will excel at Mami Camilia! May God continue to Bless You and extend to you traveling mercies and all the peace and success you can handle. I will miss your presence. You better keep in touch, girl! Much Love, Theresa W.

    • Personalchef07 April 7, 2013 at 8:24 am Reply

      Grazie Theresa! I appreciate your kind words. Good luck with school tomorrow! I know you’ll do great!

      Anna

  16. S. Russell Jackson April 5, 2013 at 12:20 pm Reply

    Congratulations Anna! I hope you have a wonderful time on externship! I know you will represent LCB well!

    • Personalchef07 April 7, 2013 at 8:24 am Reply

      Grazie Mr. Jackson- thanks for all your help!

      Anna

  17. Jan Steinkamp April 8, 2013 at 10:37 pm Reply

    Glad you arrived safely! I regret not going to the Isle of Capri but you all will have time for exploring. We took a boat to Positano but then saw we could ride a boat back to Sorrento and that was fun. Enjoy it all.

    • Personalchef07 April 9, 2013 at 2:21 am Reply

      Thank you Mrs. Jan. Yes, I am hoping for a day trip to Positano very soon, maybe in a couple of weekends. Mary Lauren and I plan on checking out Capri next Saturday when she is here. So far, amazing in every way!

  18. Jan Steinkamp June 15, 2013 at 1:50 pm Reply

    Thanks for the tip regarding the Focaccia bread. It’s hard to find locally and if found it is already doctored up.

    • Personalchef07 June 15, 2013 at 2:08 pm Reply

      You’re very welcome Mrs. Jan! I actually prefer it to pizza these days because of the lighter toppings you usually find on traditional focaccia. It is wonderful with just quality olive oil, the freshest herbs, and some nice seasonings. Our fresh pizza dough available at local our local Publix Supermarkets is fantastic–I bet Fresh Market in Baton Rouge, as well as Whole Foods have a nice dough as well.

  19. Linda Ogden September 30, 2014 at 1:04 pm Reply

    Leanne sent your blog to me. So proud of you! Look forward to reading it often.

    • Personalchef07 September 30, 2014 at 4:22 pm Reply

      Hello Mrs. Linda! Thanks, and I hope you enjoy it. 🙂

      Anna

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