Hi, I'm Amy Sandidge, a dedicated foodie and recipe developer. As a culinary school graduate who has worked in the industry for several years, a mom who cooks on the regular for her crew, and a friend who loves to cook for get-togethers, I have had plenty of experience in cooking awesome food!
I started A Red Spatula in 2019 to document the recipes I have been cooking for friends and family for 20+ years. It grew from a hobby to something more serious as my reach on the World Wide Web expanded. I have a focus on healthy eating, in moderation. This includes whole wheat baked goods, vegetarian foods, and family dinner ideas.
While you will mostly only see recipes on this site, I wanted to tell you a little about me as well.
Aside from having a totally sarcastic sense of humor and laughing at the most obnoxious things... here is what you really need to know.
Early Years
I am a born and raised Alaska girl. I am the 3rd oldest child out of our family of 10 kids. Yes, 10. Yes, all from the same parents. Trust me, I have heard all the jokes about long, cold winters.
I have been a foodie for as long as I can remember. Even as a young girl, the kitchen was the place I felt most at peace in our home. My mom was not particularly fond of cooking or baking, you can imagine with 10 kids to feed it would be overwhelming, so I naturally took over a bulk of this role when I was about 11-12 years old.
She bought me a beautiful cookbook that I drooled over and that inspired me to research foods I had never dreamed of. She also turned over the grocery shopping and meal planning to me when I was about 13. I loved it all, and if I am being perfectly honest, grocery shopping is still my favorite shopping.
Culinary School
After graduating high school, when my other friends were discussing what college to go to, the only option I could even imagine was culinary school. I attended Alaska Vocational School in the small town of Seward, Alaska.
It was in this school, that I realized there was a whole new world yet to be explored in the culinary arts. I still feel the same wonderment even today.
Missionary Service
After going to school and working in the industry for several years, I took 18 months off to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Church of Latter Day Saints in Brasil.
While the culinary industry had taught me to expand my palette and how to work, my mission taught me how to be compassionate. How to look for and serve my brothers and sisters around me. It created a foundation for who I am now.
After this time, I came home and made plans to attend college. Nutrition and health have always been a concern, and I felt I could enhance my ability to cook good food through a nutrition/ dietetics program.
My Family
God had different plans though. I met my future husband while working on an off-shore oil platform. He and I were married a few years later. While he was willing and supportive of me continuing my education, I decided to set it aside and be a full-time mom. Someday I will go back, but in the meantime, I have not regretted my decision for one minute. The hubs and I have been married for almost 20 years and added 2 boys to our family.
I am proudly raising a foodie family. While my boys don't love food as much as I do, they certainly know their way around the kitchen. But, even more important than that, they LOVE food and are ready and willing to try new things.
We are an active family and enjoy just about anything outdoors. The boys are busy with school, sports, and friends.
Any free time we have is usually spent traveling. We love to travel, explore new places, and experience new cultures.
Food Blogger
A few years ago I decided to start a food blog. I had so many friends asking for recipes and how-to on the food I made, so this seemed like a natural progression. I was under the misunderstanding that food blogging would be easy. Haha! Little did I know...
While this is a food blog on all the types of food we eat, it is also focused on incorporating whole grains into everyday foods as well. This is where my food passion is currently. I want to help people realize how great whole-grain foods can be!
So, I am excited you are here. I am excited to share my love of food with you. Follow along for updated emails and information. I would love to hear from you!
Press and In the Media
Below are a few notable mentions for A Red Spatula-
- 100 Handmade Gifts for Dad, HelloGlow
- 25 Bread Recipes From Around The World, Big Seven Travel
- 10 Zucchini Cake Recipes That Are Secretly Healthy, Wide Open Eats
- Spinach and Brie Stuffed Chicken Recipe, We Are Not Martha
Frequently Asked Questions
I haven’t, but it is certainly in the back of my mind. For me, seeing my recipes in print is a goal I will make happen. I really believe my method for incorporating whole grains is something everyone can benefit from.
With my consent, yes. I have worked hard to create these recipes, photographs, and videos. Out of respect to me, let’s coordinate.
I sure do. There are so many creative people out there; I love to connect and feature them where I can!
Yes, reach out to me and let’s talk.
First step, follow my website and get on my subscribe list. Next, remember to start in moderation. Don’t try to jump all in at once. You will have much better success this way. In each of my recipes I will share what products I recommend and how to use them. If you ever have questions, feel free to reach out and I will respond as quickly as possible!
Contact
Email: amy@aredspatula.com