My blog today will serve as my final post, as I leave Oldways and the Whole Grains Council this week to pursue a life-long dream. I have, since the age of 5, loved to cook for people. And while my foods then (most were of the mud pie variety) may not have been the best, I was proud of my creations and couldn’t wait to “serve them” to family and friends. Many years later, I am ready to take the big leap and cook in my own restaurant.

My years here at the WGC have offered countless opportunities to connect with people from every possible food-related position and, like a sponge, I have soaked it all in. I’ve expanded my knowledge of nutrition, deepened my understanding of the cultural ties to food, and brainstormed with some really great chefs about cooking whole grains. And those experiences were complemented by the interoffice exchanges of recipes, dishes and experiments with my fabulous colleagues.

All of these experiences will contribute to the next chapter of my life – opening Gourmet Any Day, Market & Café this fall, in Amesbury, Massachusetts. As you probably guessed, my menu will feature lots of whole grains. For example, my Grilled Summer Vegetable Salad with spelt and goat cheese, my Fiesta Quinoa with black beans, red pepper and roasted corn, and my Lemon-Basil Wheat Berry Salad with cucumber, tomatoes and white beans.

The dishes at my café will also take their culinary cues from each of Oldways’ Health through Heritage diets and food pyramids – from Mediterranean and Latino to Asian and African flavors, and many plant-based dishes. Yes, it’s about nutrition, but more importantly, about flavors, textures, and enjoying the experience of eating well.

Julia Child once said, “People who love to eat are always the best people.” The Oldways and Whole Grains Council staff is made up entirely of people who love food and they are indeed some of the best people I know! This makes good-bye hard to say, but I’ll stay in touch and maybe you’ll hear about my adventures in a follow up blog. So long!  (Karen)