The Kitchen Generation
February 3, 2011 at 4:23 pm 38 comments
It’s the middle of the week and I’m ridiculously happy. I feel like saltwater taffy, like glass beads sitting in sunlight, like rainbows from the garden hose. I’m so excited to FINALLY share a top-secret project with you, after nearly a year of preparation.
I guess I should back up and start with April 2010, when a mutual friend introduced me to Kamran of The Sophisticated Gourmet. We were both 18, we both wore the many hats of a food blogger (photographer, cook, stylist, writer) and we both shared a disproportionate love for dark chocolate. He lived in New York and I lived in Seattle, but what did distance matter?
Less than an hour after Kam and I met, we had connected with three other young food bloggers. There was 17-year-old Lauren of Celiac Teen, 19-year-old Tessa of Handle the Heat, and 20-year-old Hannah of honey & jam. I sent out an email to all four with the subject “Teen baking group??” and the rest is history.
We have our differences. We hail from different parts of North America – Kam in the northeast (New York), Hannah in the southeast (Georgia), Tessa in the southwest (Arizona), Lauren in Canada, and me in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle.)
We have unique perspectives. Kam’s cooking is decidedly upscale and gourmet. Tessa prefers healthy, local ingredients. I focus on writing, Hannah’s photography is breathtaking, and Lauren’s blog is entirely gluten free. But what brought us together – and keeps us together – is our mutual love for food.
From day one, we knew we wanted to create a website. Everything was a group effort, from the concept of The Kitchen Generation to the final launch ten months later. The site will share recipes, stories, photographs, techniques and tips, all from a unique younger perspective.
I’ve never met Kam, Lauren, Tessa or Hannah in person, but they’re some of the best friends I have. We exchange secret santa presents, we talk for hours on Skype. I text them when I’m having a rough day. This project means so much to us, and we’re so excited to share it with the world. I hope you take a look, browse around, and get hungry.
Check out the site: The Kitchen Generation
Follow us on Twitter: @ktchngeneration
Become a Facebook fan
And a new 17 and Baking post this weekend! :)
Entry filed under: The Kitchen Generation, Uncategorized. Tags: The Kitchen Generation.
17 and Baking 
1. hannah | February 3, 2011 at 4:34 pm
all smiles here. this is beautiful. yay for tkg!!
2. Christine (Signature Sugar) | February 3, 2011 at 4:35 pm
I for one, am looking forward to this new blog. Congratulations! I am sure it will be a big hit.
3. Lauren | February 3, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Love love love this. To echo Hannah, yay for TKG!
4. Procrastibaking | February 3, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Yay, more food on the internet!
5. Danielle | February 3, 2011 at 5:40 pm
Congratulations! That is so exciting. I’m heading over now to take a look.
6. Becca@bakingmonster | February 3, 2011 at 5:50 pm
This is so exciting, congrats!
7. ALittleBite | February 3, 2011 at 6:23 pm
That sounds amazing. As a 22 year old with (sort of) a food blog of her own, I think I’ll feel right at home in this new site.
8. Sis | February 3, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Pretty stinkin’ excited about this!
9. Tania | February 3, 2011 at 8:09 pm
FINALLY! :D
10. Katie | February 3, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Glad to see the younger generation stepping out and doing what they love – adding you to the reader!
11. Melissa | February 4, 2011 at 12:13 am
I love all these blogs! It is awesome that you are able to connect across the country and support each other. I might have been a happier girl in high school if I had a blogging community like this. Cant wait to see what is going to happen with your new site!
12. Elissa's Dad | February 4, 2011 at 12:51 am
I love it but make the font on TKG larger (pretty please?) Uuuugh, does this mean there is another blog for me to follow judiciously?
Glad this project finally came to fruition….I’ve been afraid to ask. :)
13. Rachel Parker | February 4, 2011 at 1:26 am
Wow! So excited. How do you find time for all of this??
14. Kellie | February 4, 2011 at 1:26 am
Wow, it’s great to see that you are all able to connect with one another because of a shared love for food and cooking despite all living in different areas of the country! I’ve moved around a lot throughout my life, so I’m used to communicating with people in different locations– I can relate!
15. Warm Vanilla Sugar | February 4, 2011 at 8:10 am
This is such an awesome story! I love when teens get together and share their love of food! Very cool website, I’m excited to see what you guys do with it.
16. Wei-Wei | February 4, 2011 at 10:17 am
This is so cool! As a teen baker, I’m really excited to read this. Great job guys :D
17. fridays with coco | February 4, 2011 at 10:20 am
This is so beautiful! Super excited for the site. Will definitely subscribe :)
18. Gluten Free Diva | February 4, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Elissa – I’m so glad that I found your blog. I am a friend and huge fan of Lauren’s – we met briefly at the blogher ’10 conference in San Francisco – but in reading her blog for the last number of years, I feel as if I know her. It’s delightful to see young writers who are passionate about their craft. And combining it with your equally zealous passion for baking gives your readers an extra special treat. Thank you! Keep on baking and writing! From a blogging neighbor not too far down the Mass Pike!
19. Marta | February 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Elissa, congratulations!! That is some refreshing news! So far, I’m loving the site :) Very happy for you and your friends! I’ll be anxiously waiting for your (17) next post, nonetheless :D
20. Paula | February 5, 2011 at 8:39 am
congratulations! that`s really great idea!
21. Helena | February 6, 2011 at 11:53 am
This is so great! I do find it easier sometimes to relate to what younger bloggers write :)
22. kamran siddiqi | February 7, 2011 at 12:45 am
Finally, I have time to comment on posts! Sort of . . .
Elissa- I still can’t believe that our one tweet sparked something as genius (if I can say so) as this entire project. Your kind words totally made my year! Thank you!
As for you, my partner in crime- you totally kick butt!
I hope college is treating you well! :)
23. Reyanna | February 8, 2011 at 2:48 pm
This is too cool! You all rock!
24. Agus | February 10, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Congratulation!!! the new blog looks great! Im for now a follower! I discover your blog yestarday, and Im loving it! Im 16, not such a good baker but I always glad to found young blogger with great talents (:
Hugs, Agus
25. Ashley | February 10, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Hi!
What happened to the list of other blogs that you had on the right hand column of your page? I’ve been working through them one by one, but now they’ve disappeared! : (
26. Madison | February 10, 2011 at 8:28 pm
How exciting!
27. Beezer | February 10, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Wonderful idea, congrats to all of you for getting it off the ground! Looks gorgeous!
28. Tori Greaves | February 14, 2011 at 3:03 am
It is so inspiring that those kind of relationships can develop. A group of people, united by their passions, working together to make something even better! I wish more things in life and in society worked that way. Just think: if everyone had visions like yours, and were able and willing to work together in different areas and interests… New discoveries would be made all over the globe. With the growth of the web and other technologies, your new website – and those friendships – are now possible – things which 50 yrs ago weren’t even dreamed of. It makes me excited about where the future will lead :) Keep cooking and inspiring!
Tori Greaves
29. Zilgsevilla | February 14, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Just – WOW! I love your blog. I guess it’s the fact that we’re basically the same age but you guys cook up a storm! And you actually encourage me to keep on baking, although I’ve only started doing it 5 months ago. You made me remember that everyone has their own share of success and failures, and that that one perfect cake or creamy custard is definitely reachable when you keep trying :D
Kudos to your blog!!
Que tengas buen éxito!
30. foodies at home | February 14, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Awesome! Can’t wait to see what you guys cook up!
31. Lauren B. | February 16, 2011 at 12:28 pm
I think that The Kitchen Generation will be amazing! Since each of you have your own talents, knowledge, and perspectives about food and cooking you will be able to influence young people at a broader scale. I am 17 years old and don’t know much about cooking but I will definitely check out your website to get inspiration! Congratulations to all of you!
32. Aundrea L. | February 21, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Congrats on making a new blog! I cant wait to start reading. Good Luck
33. leighbakes | February 24, 2011 at 4:18 am
Well this just sounds like a helluva lot of fun. I’m a 22-year-old novice baker and I love the idea of a youth-centric site about food. The kitchen’s not just for our grandmothers anymore! ;) Best of luck with it!
34. Amanda | February 25, 2011 at 1:32 pm
the fact that you are all so young and have the desire to do this is so motivating! Being 17 and see that you guys truely have a passion for these makes me see that i can do something that i really want to do if i try hard. Thanks!
35. Heather H. | February 27, 2011 at 2:29 pm
I find it amazing at how all of you live so far away, yet you can still bond and connect through your mutual love for cooking. I have not checked the blogs of the others, but I will definitely do so. You have a rare and canny ability to weave wonderful metaphors.
36. Deeba | March 10, 2011 at 7:16 am
What a great idea and ever so inspiring. I know Kam…he’s a sweetheart and uber-talented. Glad you guys met!! WOW!
37. we are not martha | April 5, 2011 at 12:37 am
Love. That is all I have to say. Also, go get ’em kids ;) [chels]
38. dapur kita | March 13, 2014 at 12:37 am
Glad to hear your story. Good friendship, because it is united by a common hobby. hopefully enduring friendship.