If you know anything about me at all you know that I love food! I've had a passion for it since I was a small child eating my Italian Grandmother's food (who was born and raised in Italy by the way). My "why" behind my blog is centered about the family table and making memories with each recipe I create.
She would come stay with us for 4-6 weeks at a time during the summer months and around Christmas, we would drive up to Canada to spend a week with her and my Grandfather. I watched her cook many Italian Recipes!
Even though my Grandfather was a pro-chef, I rarely ever saw him in the kitchen unless he was bringing home some Italian Meats and Bread for us to eat. It was always my grandmother who did the cooking in their house for Christmas. My grandfather died in his 50's from a heart attack. I was 13 when he passed and very sad I didn't get more time with him. I know I could have learned so much from him in the kitchen too.
It wasn't until about 5 years ago I got to honor my granddad over food when my mom gave me his Carving Knife and I got to use it in a video. I really miss him and my grandmother even though they have both been gone for a very long time now. Thanks to them, I have a rich heritage in Italian Cuisine and family of course.
Now, I can't leave out my mom! She fed us and she fed us well! She married a country boy from Southern Tennessee so when she was raising us kids, she put a spin on Italian cooking and made some "comfort" or "southern" food. However you like to say it, haha!
Then in the mid 1980's, I went to work in the restaurant business. After 14 years of commercial kitchens, I went to bible college for 2 years and went on a mission's trip to Kenya.
After Kenya, I was blessed to be involved in Missions with my dad's church and ministry. I started taking a few trips abroad and then discovered part of my purpose in life was to become a missionary to the Philippines. During my three years of living in the Philippines I learned to love Southeast Asian Culture and went to Thailand, Hongkong, Japan, India, Papua New Guinea, Burma, and Singapore. Then I was able to go to some of the Pacific Islands of Fiji, Australia, Samoa, and American Samoa.
I experienced so much beauty and so much food culture! I learned to love street food, the diversity, how they create food that represents their culture, and how passionate the vendors were about their creations. This is the big "why" behind why I love food and the people behind the food.
I've been sincerely blessed to travel all through Mexico, Canada, Central & South America, many African Countries, Europe and Eastern Europe totaling 64 Countries! These are the experiences I want to share with you through my food and recipes. And if you're wondering, yes, I have been to Italy too! It's one of my favorite places!
My top 5 favorite Cities in the World excluding ITALY:
San Francisco, Halifax Nova Scotia, Sydney Australia, Hongkong and Singapore. Why these Cities? Harbor Cities seem to be my favorite and I tend to see authentic Food Culture around these cities. If you have a Harbor City in mind for me to visit, please let me know! I'd love to add it to my list.
Now, Why did I create a BLOG WEBSITE?
The big why for me is because I wanted a way that I can share my recipes that are not limited to a 60 second video or captions where it's hard to find or copy and paste things. So, for me making a blog website seemed to make the most sense. It gives people a chance to see all my recipes, have a cookbook at their fingertips, and have a chance to get and cook with my BBQ sauce.
So, this is my "why" behind my blog. I certainly hope you will try some of my recipes not to mention leave a review once you have made them and give me a star rating as well so I know you're enjoying the Website.
Cheers until my next blog!
Chef Tim Clowers
PS. My next blog I will share my journey of being a Caterer for many years and how I transitioned from being in Commercial Kitchens after 25 years to becoming a full time Creator.
Kandie Carmean says
Your totally awesome. I watch you cook and love your creations. Italy has always been my dream vacation. Maybe one day it will come true. Keep giving your fans all of your talented dishes. We all appreciate them. I give you a 100% thumbs up.
CookitwithTim says
Thanks SO much! Italy was amazing. I hope you get to go soon. I know you can make it happen!
Barbara Ketchum says
Thank you so much for sharing!! It's always fun and good to know the backgrounds of your favorite chefs. It reflects in their recipes.
Halifax!! Yes!! We visited their in 1994. Amazing city and the views...oh my.
My favorite recipe so far is the your daughters favorite chicken. It's been a hit every time I make it.
May I share it in our community newsletter with credit to you please?
Keep sharing!!
Barbara
CookitwithTim says
Yes I'd love for you to share it! That's what I'm all about. I love knowing recipes will reach more family tables :). Thanks for taking time to read more about me!
Walter Hoover says
WOW! I never knew you had been to all these countries and exotic places. I love watching your videos and creations of food dishes. Your grandparents would be very proud of who you have become!
CookitwithTim says
I appreciate that brother! Sure wish I had more time with them. Dinner at our place soon!
Robbin Rizzo says
I loved reading your blog ,you’re amazing and an awesome cook I have made a lot of your recipes ! I really enjoy following you and thank you for alway sharing your life and cooking with us your amazing ❤️
CookitwithTim says
Thanks for your kind words Robbin! You'll have to let me know what your favorite recipes have been! I'm so curious
Dennis Wooten says
I can see God all over you brother! You're gigantic smile says it all. I'm glad you're doing the blog so we can get to know you more. This first blog was written very well, I'm excited to see more blogs and then a book about your life! God bless you.
Your friend
Dennis Wooten
CookitwithTim says
Definitely couldn't have done it without all the support! Thanks brother!
Theresa Payne says
Thank you for sharing your family and your “why” with us. I enjoyed reading your story and look forward to reading more. God bless you and your family! P.S. I tried to “subscribe” but when I clicked subscribe at the top right corner of this page it said “page not found” so I guess maybe you don’t have that link set up yet.
CookitwithTim says
Oh goodness! It was working the other day. Thanks for letting me know. I'll get you subscribed now and get that fixed. Thanks Theresa!
Candy Watson says
So excited you started. A blog. I'm a defiantly a fan
CookitwithTim says
Couldn't do it without my fans! I appreciate you encouraging me Candy! Excited to share more.
Madison says
Tim I’m so proud of you. You are amazing. This was an awesome read.
CookitwithTim says
Thanks for making it all possible!
Deborah says
Loved getting to know your background. Explains a lot about your recipes, which all sound delicious.
CookitwithTim says
I'll be adding more recipes ASAP! Thanks for following along Deborah!
Jennifer says
Awesome to hear about all things you’ve learned in your past. Then been able to pass along all those delicious recipes to us. Keep up the great job!
CookitwithTim says
Thanks for taking time to learn about my mission! Can't wait to share more recipes with you
Kathryn Goering says
You have experienced so much and accomplished so much. I really love your recipes. Now that I am in school I don't get on facebook or Instagram as much, but I always go to your pages so that I can catch up on everything. I am hoping that you will incorporate more recipes from your travels so that we can all experience some of what you have. I love your cookbook and your barbecue sauce!
CookitwithTim says
I love hearing that you're in school! So glad you're doing that and expanding your knowledge. I definitely plan on sharing more specific recipes from my travels now that I know so many are interested! Thanks!!
Kathy says
Look how far you have come on the internet teaching people about food, I think I have been following you since the start in your small house kitchen.
Wishing you much luck in your journey.
CookitwithTim says
I appreciate that Kathy! Thanks for following along and cheering me on!
Cindi says
Very interesting and encouraging too! Your blog and recipes I look forward to adding to my collection! Keep on keeping on!
CookitwithTim says
Thanks so much! Glad you've been enjoying it
Hazel Hoffman says
I enjoyed reading about your life and rich family heritage. I look forward to learning how to add the knowledge you share with my own family, the meals you teach us to prepare.
Silverlily61 🌸
CookitwithTim says
What kind of food do you enjoy cooking for your family? I could work on sharing something specially for you.
Laura says
That was really interesting read! You were blessed and still are. Beautiful wife and family. Traveling all over too. How Exciting!! I didn’t know my Dad much. He passed away. I do know we both had a love for bacon and peanuts. My mother sent me away quite a bit.(didn’t really know her) We grew up extremely poor. She only made pot pies from the freezer section or roast in the crockpot. I am still learning to cook thru videos, some old cook books, and following you on FB. One day I will afford an outdoor griddle. I hope! Thank you for helping me get thru some recipes 🙂 I’m still learning.
Thanks again Chef Tim!!
CookitwithTim says
I love being able to make meals that remind me of my family. Do you ever make boiled peanuts then? They are in season! I'm glad you find motivation in my recipes to broaden your cooking skills! Let me know if there's a recipe you'd specifically like to learn. Would be glad to help with it!