about
In 2013, when I started this blog I really had no idea what I was getting myself into; I just wanted to cook, write, and take pictures and since so many of my friends and family members were requesting recipes, it seemed like the perfect place to combine all three of my passions.
The name “cook on a whim” was inspired by the very real fact that I am a creative home cook who is known for whipping things up “on a whim.” I am not a meal planner. I am a wizard with leftovers and many meals are created last minute based on what I have in my pantry or fridge—and based on what I feel like eating. My appetite for food, cooking, and all things culinary was inspired early on by my father and has never stopped growing. With a strong French influence, my meals are simple, classic, and unique. I love baking sweet treats, too. Especially on snow days.
A Virginia girl at heart, I have traveled coast to coast, as well as visited far off lands including Dubai, Afghanistan, Turkey, and St. Lucia. I find inspiration everywhere I go and love bringing new ideas home to my kitchen.
I was raised on a 75-acre farm with three older brothers, a younger sister and brother, and lots of animals. In December, 2014 I graduated with honors from George Mason University, where I majored in English, minored in History, and loved every minute. The magnitude and significance of this is that I never graduated high school—something I was ashamed of for the longest time and something only a very small handful of people know. My family basically exploded my senior year, and I was emotionally abandoned. Thank goodness for my grandparents is all I have to say about that. So, when I finally decided I was ready to erase that terrible year, I went for it. Nothing like throwing a little Summa Cum Laude at your past to make yourself feel validated. I am so proud of my accomplishment—I did it. All by myself with lots of cheerleaders, including my friends, family, and kids. Being the best mother I can be to my kids and receiving my Bachelor’s degree are two things I did not learn from my childhood, two things nobody taught me how to do, and two things that nobody can ever take away from me.
After surviving several years in suburbia (never again) and a failed marriage, I am now living in the country again, married to the love of my life, raising our 5 kids together (blended family—my 2 plus his 3), chasing after our 5 maniac dogs: 3 french bulldogs, one English bulldog, and a miniature schnauzer, gardening, cooking, and loving. I never knew I could be so happy. We are planning on getting chickens and maybe goats; I’ll keep you posted.
I have been featured on The Feed Feed, as well as written several articles for a D.C. based online food magazine, DCfud, freelanced for The Fauquier Times-Democrat newspaper and guest-blogged for BeFunky.com in Portland, Oregon. I am currently a regular contributor to The Georgetowner and The Brookside Neighbors magazine.
I look forward to sharing my food adventures, childhood memories, travels, and kitchen experiences with you all. And of course my recipes and photos.
Email me anytime at anita@cookonawhim.com and I’d love if you’d connect with me on the following channels:
12 thoughts on “about”
littleboxbigstamp
Why hello – I wanted to let you know you’ve been nominated for a Liebster Award by me. 🙂 Have a great day, and thanks for the literary pleasure. -Christine
http://littleboxbigstamp.wordpress.com/2013/11/03/and-the-award-goes-to-these-adventurers/
varinaj
yay! a fellow DC-er! I’m so excited to have found your blog!
Ani Hughes | Cook on a Whim
Oh my goodness!! Ditto!
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Paul
Love your story … continued happiness and culinary coolness from our goofy family to yours!
Ani Hughes | Cook on a Whim
Paul, Thanks so much! Lots of love and happiness to you and your family as well!
lucyabakes
Hello! I have nominated you for the Real Neat Blog award as I love reading your blog and recipes! Lucya x
Ani Hughes | Cook on a Whim
Thank you! I’m so sorry for the delay in my response! You are so sweet and thanks for thinking of me! XOXO
lucyabakes
That’s ok 😊 you deserve it! Xx
DisplacedHousewife
You just *just* updated this, didn’t you? I was an English major too…have we virtually discussed this? I hope you someday (soon) get out to the west coast so we can sit down, have some coffee and chat. And maybe some wine. And definitely some food. Good luck with the writing. My favorite (current) motto is ‘why not me?’ If other people can be food writers, than why can’t you too?? Keep doing what you’re doing (and loving) and it will all fall into place. Or, at least that’s what I keep telling myself!! xx
Ani Hughes | Cook on a Whim
Rebecca! I am so sorry for slacking on my blog and ignoring this lovely comment! I do not think we have virtually discussed this similarity. I’ll add it to the ever-growing list! Haha. Definitely sisters in a previous life. And yes, I just updated this in early 2015. I so wish we could get together, and hopefully we will be able to one of these days. You keep doing what you’re doing, too! I am so happy to have found you and I LOVE your photos and posts. You are such a special, talented woman! Lots of love from my coast to yours! <3