It’s time to get this section of the blog rolling again, considering the lasting success of the pastelón entry from back in February. Well, it’s summer now, new produce is in season, wine shops have opened, organic milk is flowing from the shelves of the local supermarket, and I’ve just recruited the most adorable and talented chef extraordinarie, Paige “100 quiches and counting” Newman! Paige will be sharing bi-weekly recipes, complete with photos, shopping tips, chopping tips, and feedback from lucky tasters (me). I recently interviewed Paige about what makes her uniquely qualified to contribute to this esteemed culinary digest:

When did you begin your training in the culinary arts? I Started watching the Food Network in 1993, when it first began. I was so obsessed that over spring break that year, I made my parents take me to New Orleans to go to Emeril’s and Nola’s, Cafe du Monde for beignets, and Mother’s for po-boys. For years, the Food Network was basically the only thing I watched on TV (other than Beverly Hills 90210).

What was the first thing you ever attempted to cook? I never really cooked anything (except for 1 attempt at Potato Leek Soup when I was in high school) until junior year of college when I moved into the co-op on campus and had to cook vegan/vegetarian meals for 12 people. The first meal I made there was falafel, stuffed grape leaves, and babaganouj.

What is your biggest challenge in the kitchen? My biggest challenge is that I can only cook for 3 people or 50, and nothing in between.

Favorite celebrity chef? Anthony Bourdain (he’s such a bad ass, I totally want to marry him).

Favorite cookbook? The Basics by Filip Verheyden — it’s a beautiful little cookbook that explains all the basics of cooking from how to blanch vegetables to making a perfect Holandaise to cooking fish in a salt crust. Each recipe is illustrated with a beautiful, true-to-life photograph.

What dish do you do best? I make a mean quiche even though I don’t really like it. I’ve probably made over a hundred. I made them for a little while for the Wyckoff Starr, and then worked as a quiche/empanada chef for a while at a cafe named “Ohio” in Berlin.

Look out for Paige’s first recipe next week, and her upcoming video “Yummy Fish Tacos.”