Kelsey Nixon

Amongst the new shows that I record and watch later is Kelsey’s Essentials on The Cooking Channel. Why? Two reasons:

First of all, it’s interesting. Kelsey Nixon makes all kinds of good stuff, and it all looks so simple when she does.

Even if you know how to make a dish, the show serves as a reinforcement and reminder. Plus, it stimulates me into thinking that maybe, just maybe, I need to get into baking bread … or casseroles … or sandwich spreads … or whatever.

She not only tells you the ingredients you need (the essentials), but also the equipment you’ll need (again the essentials).

Sure, she chatters a mile a minute, but listen carefully to what she says, because her patter is chock full of pertinent and interesting info.

Secondly, she’s cute. Kelsey Nixon is as cute as a button.

She’s so cute, in fact, and has such a good personality that although she didn’t make it past fourth place in The Next Food Network Star during its fourth season, she was voted “Fan Fave.” I remember watching the competition that year and wore a small pout on my face when she was booted off.

Kelsey is no slouch when it comes to cooking. I’d forgotten that she had her own cooking show called Kelsey’s Kitchen, teaching college students how to make simple meals. (Hey! Gimme a break! It’s been four years y’know. I forget anything that’s past three years ago.)

She’s got a degree in journalism, and that’s something we have in common. Plus she got a professional culinary arts degree at Le Cordon Blue in Los Angeles. Her recipes have appeared in Bon Appétit, Cosmo Girl, and Red Lobster.

That’s impressive to me.