Food should not only satisfy our hunger, it should feed our soul and nourish our bodies, while delighting our senses ~ Karista Bennett
I’m a Personal Chef, Culinary Instructor, Food Writer, Mom of two Sassy Gals, one unruly terrier and Wife to Ranger Craig.
My life is full of adventure. Cooking for my clients, my friends and family, teaching the most wonderful students about the world of culinary delights; and flying all over the great Pacific Northwest in search of the best Farmer’s Markets, freshest produce, locally raised meats, poultry and sustainable fish. I’m a “Flying Foodie” in search of the best and freshest dishes the Northwest has to offer… not to mention the best lavender jelly!
You’ll find a vast array of recipes at Karista’s Kitchen… with a flying adventure or two. Life is full of surprises and this accidental chef is loving every minute of it!
Pull up a chair, stay for a while or come back often. I love your visits and hope you enjoy the recipes. Drop me a note sometime and say hello. I love hearing from you!
Live healthy,
Love completely,
Hug your kids every day,
Eat organic,
Support your local farmers,
Learn something new every day,
Be kind, it’s worth the effort,
And always eat dessert!
Delicious Wishes and Loads of Love,
Karista
Let me introduce you to The Bennett Crew:
Ranger Craig, my mountain man and resident tough guy with a big sweet heart (and chief taste tester!)
My two sassy gals, Tink and Suzie Q ~
Our big old Airedale, Elwood. Sadly, he passed last summer. He was completely adored by his family for 12 wonderful years. I just don’t have the heart to take down the picture.
Our little buddy Tank, the Cairn Terrier. He thinks he can drive 
For recipe questions, requests for information or information about my Personal Chef Service feel free to drop me an email at karistaskitchen@gmail.com
Seeking delicious adventures! A flying foodie in search of all things fresh from the Northwest. 
Saw that you’re attending Blogher Food Conference this year. I’ve never been, but am really excited! Great blog…love your Airedale pic too. My aunt and uncle have always had them and they are such sweet dogs.
Found your site on FoodBlogs.com and thought I’d check it out. Subscribed to your feed and can’t wait to see what your next post will be!
Thank you! Hope you like what you find here. And yes, there is a lot more to come. Delicious Wishes
Nice to meet you and your family. I see that your sassy girls are indeed a bit older than my ponytails–what gorgeous girls! Looking forward to learning more about your cooking adventures in the Northwest. What a great blog you have here!
Thank you for your kind words! It’s been a fun ride raising my two gals.
We love the Northwest. So many resources for fresh food. And beautiful too. A little too much rain but the price we pay for the beauty that surrounds us. Thanks for stopping by!
Where do you get your recipes from? Do you accept recipes from your readers? I have a great family recipe I’d love to share. If you’re interested, let me know and I can email it to you.
Thank you
Patrick, most of my recipes are my own and/or an adaption of a recipe I love. I rarely post other peoples recipes, however I do have a Facebook page called Karista’s Kitchen. I love to have home chef’s share their recipes on that page as long as they are mostly fresh ingredients. I’m a whole foods advocate and feel fresh is best. If you’d like my opinion before posting on the facebook page just email it to me. Thanks!
Karista,
I owe you an answer. I am not in my opinion a photographer yet. The day someone pays me something for my work is the date I will stamp myself a photographer. I like to think of myself as a storyteller and photos do this marvelously.
I have been looking through your comments and it is a veritable who’s who of my favorite bloggers. Now, I am with Cara at the shock of of your having a 20 year-old daughter. You and your husband look about my age so I am more than impressed. Kudos to you guys
Haha! Oh you and Cara are going to give me a big ego! We do indeed have a 20 year old and my youngest is 14. My two sassy gals as I like to call them. They keep me young as does my husband. He’s the culprit really. Older than me by seven years he can out run, out kayak, out ski and out hike me any day of the week. Which just makes me even more competitive. LOL! And someone should most definitely be paying you for your photography. Amazing! I hope you include them all in your book. The one that’s going to be a NY Times best seller!
you must be a great mother because you have nurturing down
Awww… thanks Cara! I’ll pass along the compliment to my hair stylist. She’s a dear friend and may I say amazing with my wildly curly hair. I had crazy hair before I met her!
I am so sad about your ankle!! I know it’s not easy to stay off a limb especially when you’re active. You’re in my prayers friend!! Just hang in there and this too shall pass. Are you sick of hearing that yet?!
And it’s so great that you and your husband were running together. I think that’s been the key to such a great friendship/relationship with my guy. We always try to have fun. Together. Whether it’s a hike, flying, bike riding, skiing, running, kayaking or just a long walk with Tank by the lake. Quality time. We don’t get a quanitity of time, but what do have is quality. So important. Ok that’s my little long married person life lesson. LOL!!
Happy Saturday to you!
So, I probably should have done this initially, but I admit I was a bit lazy after writing up such a long post; however, I nominated you for an award a while back and I wasn’t sure if you ever saw the post? Here is the link: http://thislittlelight516.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/terribly-long-overdue/
I think your blog is fabulous; nearly as fabulous as you!
Oh WOW! Thank you so much Cara! I feel so badly I didn’t see the post. I try so hard to read all my favorite posts daily or at least every other day but my client and teaching schedule has been fierce of late and I’m so behind. You are too thoughtful! Thank you again my new friend!
You are very welcome! And no worries; I completely understand. To be honest, when I see that an “award” post has come through, I usually just skim to see if I have to do something, then move on — quickly. LOL.
I do the same but for some reason I completely missed this post! Shame on me. My head has been buried in cooking curriculum and nutritional menu planning and not in my blog or reading my fave bloggers. Not to mention my two sassy girls who can completely take over ones moment of quiet reading! LOL!
Quite a good looking crew
… and Elwood’s pic should definitely stay! Thank you so much for the encouragement… truly means more than you know. I’m so happy that you love where you have landed! Where do you teach?
Deb, thanks for the compliments! I’m kind of in love with my good looking crew.
I work now as a personal chef with an emphasis in nutritional therapy. I also teach classes for our local farmer’s coop market, PCC Natural Markets, here in Seattle. The program is called PCC Cooks and has won numerous awards for their cooking school program. A great group of culinary and nutritional experts. I feel honored to be a part of the school. Wishing you all the best!
That is fantastic, Karista! What an incredible opportunity! It will be fun to follow your journey, and best to you, and your crew, as well
Beautiful Blog and beautiful family!!! Love your notes on how to live life to its full
Aww… Thank you Ali (is it Ali?). And thanks so much for stopping by! Love your blog too and can’t wait to see what other dishes you’ll be cooking up! Delicious Wishes
Thanks for finding my blog. Your blog is great and the food and the photos — wow! Can’t wait to read more. Catchy blog name
Thanks Danny! Love your blog as well and can’t wait to browse a little more. Yes, my catchy blog name is quite original. LOL!
so nice to meet you – we have the same sentiments to life and yes, always eat dessert
Lovely to meet you too Tandy. Love your blog and I too love all things lavender. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!
Hi! it’s always a good thing to know someone from a different part of the world
continue the positive look in life .., it’s contagious !
Thanks for the comment! Looking forward to checking out your blog.
Lovely blog, lovely family and lovely dogs – don´t take Elwood´s photo down. He may not be with you anymore but he was still a big part of the family. Am off to look at some of your gorgeous recipes!
Thank you so much for stopping by! Yep our big boy Elwood was a huge part of our family. And he was so darn cute. Thanks for your sweet comment Tanya!
i totally understand…. i have a HUGE love for dogs. they are just the best.
They are! We love our animal babies. My two daughters are dog fanatics I think. They’re always bringing home strays. Luckily we always find the owners.
Thanks for the sweet words Monica! Our big guy isn’t with us, sadly at 12 years old he passed in August.
He was the best dog! But we have our little guy, Tank, who is totally smothered in love by the girls.
elwood is so incredibly adorable! your family is beautiful!
Hey Karista Thanks so much for leaving such a nice comment on my blog! I love your about me page. I really feel you come alive in it. I look forward to seeing more of you and your cooking. Heather x
Heather, Thank you so much for the kind words! I love your blog and always look forward to what you’re posting next. Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Karista, this is such a lovely “about” description! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for commenting! It’s so hard to write an “about” page! When your my age (44), there’s so much life that’s already been lived, hard to put it into a few paragraphs. Hahaha! Have a fabulous rest of the week Alexandra!
Nice to hear your story.
Life is full of journey, right?
Happy cooking!
And the journey is the fun part!
Oh my gosh….you haven’t aged since you were 16! lol Great to see your face again..and congratulations on your wonderful success!
Ha ha ha!! Thank you for the sweet compliment! And you look fabulous yourself! Enjoy the recipes!
I just found your website…I’ve known you all these years and just found out? GADS! All of your recipes sound delicious and those that you’ve shared with us at IVE ARE delicious! You have inspired me back into the kitchen, at least for the summer….
Melissa, I’m so glad I’ve given you inspiration to get back into the kitchen. I’ll be posting several more grill recipes soon, and when the weather starts to turn cooler I’ll post some yummy fall recipes that I know you’ll love! Have a wonderful summer Melissa!
So glad to see you are pursuing this!
Cheers!
Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne! Here’s hoping my blog inspires all home chef’s to get back into the kitchen. Wishing you great health and great food!
Oh, finally, a place to go to be inspired when it comes to dinner! May my family benefit from your passion!
I’ll do my best! And don’t hesitate to make a few requests. I just posted a pasta recipe for a blogger who made a request. Happy Cooking! K
Karista–this so much fun! Chicken Marbella is on my menu this week, and I can’t wait to see what’s next! Heidi
Well, girlie, I am so proud of you! I can’t wait to see what you’re “serving” up for all of us and will be keeping an eye out for your new stuff! Glad to be back in touch with you, I have my own blog, not nearly as exciting as yours, but you can peruse at your leisure. Love you!!
http://www.debbie-somesplainin.blogspot.com