A Journey of Cooking and Entertaining: Celebrating European Classics at Home

Cooking has been my lifelong passion, sparked by cherished childhood memories of helping my mother in the kitchen back in Romania. Our most treasured moments were spent preparing festive meals for Easter and Christmas, times filled with warmth, laughter, and the irresistible aroma of homemade dishes. Little did I know, those joyful experiences would one day inspire me to share my love for cooking with others through a cookbook.

Originally from Romania, I immigrated to Canada in 2004. Here, I met a wonderful man who became my husband, found an amazing circle of friends who feel like family, and embarked on an extraordinary culinary adventure. From dining at Toronto’s finest restaurants to embracing the flavors of diverse cultures, my journey has been a celebration of food, exploration, and creativity. Together, my husband and I have experimented with countless recipes—some inherited from our families, others born from our shared curiosity—each one elevating our taste and deepening our appreciation for the art of cooking. Along the way, we’ve learned to pair dishes with the perfect wine or champagne, turning meals into unforgettable experiences.

One pivotal moment stands out: Christmas 2016, when our dear friends gifted me a French cookbook inscribed with an inspiring note: “Our dearest Claudia, we hope you will be inspired by this book to write your own.” That simple gesture ignited a dream. In that moment, I knew I wanted to marry my love for cooking and writing, and so my cookbook—was born.

Today, I’m a proud mom to a spirited 12-year-old who shares my passion for the kitchen. Whether he’s helping with the prep or sneaking tastes of desserts before they bake, his enthusiasm fills my heart with joy. My husband, too, is an integral part of this journey, not only as the talented photographer behind my food images but also as a passionate cook himself. His expertise in pasta, BBQ, and family recipes—passed down from his father, an avid hunter, fisherman, and chef—enriches our culinary repertoire. Many of these treasured dishes will feature on this blog, with even more included in my upcoming cookbook, a celebration of cooking for loved ones.

For me, cooking has always been about more than just food. It’s about bringing people together, creating moments of connection, and nourishing both body and soul. From hosting countless dinner parties with friends to rediscovering old recipes and crafting new ones, I’ve come to believe in the magic of food as an expression of true love. As Giada De Laurentiis so beautifully said, “Food brings people together on so many different levels. It’s nourishment to the soul and body. It’s true love.”

So, here is my heartfelt invitation: Join me on this culinary journey that has been unfolding in a cozy welcoming apartment in Toronto, Canada. Together, we’ll explore the incredible dishes I’ve discovered, the comforting flavors of my childhood, and the recipes still waiting to be created. Let’s celebrate the joy of food, the beauty of tradition, and the excitement of new flavors—one delicious bite at a time.

My husband is a true Renaissance man and an indispensable pillar of my culinary journey. An accountant by profession, Codrut brings a multitude of remarkable talents to the table. As the skilled photographer behind my food imagery and a passionate cook in his own right, his contributions are as diverse as they are invaluable. This book is as much a testament to his unwavering support, boundless creativity, and extraordinary talent as it is to my passion for cooking—it could not have been brought to life without him.

David was born in Montreal on Bastille Day, the National holiday of France. David is a trained chef, a fellow foodie, a voracious reader, an avid portrait, travel, and urban scene photographer. 

David is also the Managing Director and Senior Counsel of an immigration consulting firm, a High Honors Graduate of Seneca College’s Immigration Practitioner Program, and a Member of the Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants.