My name is Jennifer and I have been married to a chef for 25 years.

I blog about my life as a chef wife and how we combine restaurant and family life each day.

If you are new to my site, start here.

Recent Posts:

Sending a Chef to the Grocery Store

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Sometimes you just need to send your husband to the grocery store. Maybe it’s because your kids are sick and you can’t get out of the house. Maybe you forgot something for dinner and need him to pick it up on the way home. Whatever the case may be, sometimes it’s just necessary.

I will never forget a conversation I had with a friend about 15 years ago. She was telling me how hard it was when her husband ran to the grocery store because he couldn’t find things and usually ended up getting the wrong item(s).

I have be to honest. I couldn’t relate to her problem because I’m married to a chef. My husband lives and breathes food every minute of the day. If anything, he should be worried about me running to the store!

I recently came across this video on YouTube about this grocery store “problem”. While I can’t relate, I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time! read more…

We Got Invited Over for Dinner!

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WE GOT INVITED OVER FOR DINNER!

And my friend Christy is still alive to tell about it!

AMAZING!!

I joked in this post about how we never get invited over to people’s homes for dinner because people are scared to cook for my chef/husband.

But last month, it actually happened! We went over to a friend’s house for dinner, AS A FAMILY!! The last time this happened was . . . well, let’s just say it’s been a while.

It was such a fun evening. The food was wonderful and our oldest daughter loved the soup so much, she asked me to get the recipe so we could have it again. 🙂

My friend seemed calm and relaxed the entire evening.

See? It’s really not a big deal.

If you don’t believe me, here’s what my friend Christy had to say about the evening: read more…

How to Have a Successful Career AND be Married to a Chef – Part 1

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On the blog, I spend a lot of time writing about our chefs and how their career impacts our lives and the lives of our family. I even wrote an entire ebook about supporting them. But what about us? What about our career? What about our dreams and desires? I know there are 2 of us in the relationship. I haven’t forgotten about you! The other day, I received a comment on this post that really got me thinking. As I read it, I began to think of everyone I have made connections with this past year and wondered if many of you were thinking the same thing this reader was. Here’s what she asked:

“Is it possible to be a working wife of chef? Someone’s got to give and I gave up my career when I moved, only to start something else that is taking off. How do you prioritize? What about your own feelings and your contributions too? I realize that the kinder and more patient I am, the more considerate he is. And when I’m a total grouch, all hell breaks loose. I know acceptance is key, and we all know managing a chef’s ego is a delicate issue. I still find it hard to accept the age old stereotype that the wife has always to be the one making sure all is in perfect order for the chef to come home to, because in all honesty – it’s pretty hard too working, running the household, and those with kids, it’s like triple shift work!”

So leaving kids out of the equation, let’s talk about that for a bit. Is it truly possible to have a successful career and be married to a chef (or dating one)? read more…

The Best Way to Communicate with a Chef

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I don’t know about you, but there are times when I feel my like chef/husband is a stranger because I haven’t see him much.

It’s not always easy to get a hold of him when he’s at work. So when he finally has a day off, I could talk his ear off (but I try not to)!

With the limited time we have together as a chef couple, what’s the best way to communicate both while at work and at home?

When I think about communication with my chef/husband, there are really a few ways I go about it. It’s very different trying to talk with him while he’s at work vs. when he’s at home.

Let’s start off with home. I don’t know about your chef, by my husband is pretty exhausted when he gets home at night and on his days off. I usually have a few things I’d like to talk to him about, and there’s usually time. It’s finding the best time that’s important. I have found it best to never, ever, ever, ever, ever talk to him about something important when he’s tired. It never goes well. If he’s too tired to think clearly, that’s not the time I want to be talking about money or problems with the kids. (It’s the same if I’m totally exhausted as well.) If a good time presents itself (kids are occupied, chef/husband is rested, etc.) then we talk about the important things. If not, there’s always plan B . . . read more…

Are There Any Chefs Without an Injury of Some Sort?

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I’ve asked it before, “Is the restaurant killing the chef?”

Ask any chef wife or significant other whose chef has been working in the kitchen for a while about their chef’s injuries and well . . . you better grab a cup of coffee and a chair because you might be there for a while.

Over the past 19 years we’ve dealt with cuts, burns, a broken back and torn ligaments, just to name a few.

Now it’s not totally fair to put all the blame on the career. When my chef/husband makes eating healthy and working out a priority, he can physically handle the job easier. However, when things get really busy as work, those are the things that tend to be pushed to the side. (This happens with many of us, not just chefs, right?)

However, no matter how good of shape you are in, sometimes injuries happen.

Right now, my chef/husband is sporting a lovely black cast on his left arm. (I would show you a picture, but decided to skip asking him if I could take one as I know he hates it when I take his picture. You can take a peek at it in this Facebook post from New Year’s Eve.) He’s left handed. He doesn’t have any broken bones, but has torn ligaments in his elbow from repetitive movements (chopping, working the sauté station, etc.) Even with the cast on, he’s in a lot of pain. read more…