About La Domestique
The La Domestique Food Philosophy
La Belle Vie
Living the good life is all about slowing down, connecting to nature, and enjoying the little luxuries in every day.
Cook with the Seasons
Ingredients that are in season have better flavor and the greatest amount of nutrients. Savoring what Mother Nature has to offer right now makes each meal special.
Keep It Simple
Making a quick, simple meal that tastes delicious is a satisfying task that anyone can do. Stick to essential kitchen tools and resist the temptation to clutter the kitchen with trendy gadgets and appliances.
Shop Local
Locally grown fruits and vegetables are fresh and more flavorful. Support small, sustainable farmers. Look for free range meat and poultry. Avoid pesticides.
Food Is Medicine
Food fuels the body and sharing a meal with loved ones nourishes the soul. A healthy diet based on vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats plays a role in healing and preventing disease.
About La Domestique
Hi, I’m Jessica O’Toole, and I love to cook. I also love to learn about food: ingredients, stories, and recipes. I’ve worked almost every job imaginable in food and hospitality, including waitress, barista, restaurant cook, baker, wine rep, and even farm hand. I’ve taught cooking classes and worked as a food photographer, stylist, and recipe developer.
It all started with a part-time job at Viking Cooking School in Memphis, Tennessee back in 2008. As the farm to table movement became popular, I moved to Boulder, Colorado and fully immersed myself in the culinary scene. I created La Domestique in 2011 as a place to share recipes and develop my food photography skills. The La Domestique blog journey continued and 2013 brought big changes as my husband and I moved overseas to his home country, Ireland. I was influenced by all the wonderful producers across the Irish countryside (dairy, fish, lamb, veg, sausage) and all sorts of worldly influences (French cheeses! English offal! Indian curries! Polish pickling! German fondue!). After a couple of years overseas, we returned to America and I took a break from the food scene to explore other interests.
Now I feel the call to return to the kitchen, breathing new life into La Domestique and taking inspiration from the vast archive of recipes that follow the journey of my life. It’s fun to rediscover forgotten projects (like the time I demonstrated how to prepare squid!) and unusual ingredients (those purple potatoes on the first day of fall in Colorado!). I’m excited to blend old and new going forward with La Domestique and looking forward to sharing recipes from my 2019 home kitchen in Tampa, Florida. One thing that will never change about La Domestique is the dedication to cooking simple, seasonal meals and enjoying la belle vie, wherever the journey of life leads. I hope you enjoy the recipes and feel more connected to nature in your kitchen.
You can also find me writing about life, books, art, and travel over at www.jessicaotoole.com.