dusted page cookery
Created and managed by Stacy Hanes.
My Story
dusted page cookery began as an opportunity to share recipes and inspiration from my mother's immense cookbook collection. As the project continues to expand and evolve, I'm inspired by the power of recipes, meals, and culinary processes to highlight culture and build community. Whether talking food with professionals or the home cook, there is story to be heard.
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I started my career in food & beverage at 16 waiting tables at a Denny's in Mt. Vernon, WA. In my first foray into the industry, I learned about the passion of the kitchen. The cooks in the back cared about their food, were proud to make the best they could, were insistent that their meals got to customers hot off the grill. As I continued working through the restaurant world at some classics (13 Coins, Duke's, Four Seasons Hotels), the integrity of kitchen stayed the same, albeit with elevated ingredient and technique since my Denny's days. The kitchen team were the power, the passion and the soul of the entire system.
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The fascinating thing about the truly great chefs was their constant curiosity for ideas and ingredients. There's a local farm with one tree of exceptionally sweet yellow plums? Call them up. The mushroom guy is here and he found some beautiful chanterelles? We'll change tonight's menu. Someone's mom makes the best pea soup? Let's all go to her house and learn from the master. I have sat at table trying five different grey salts. Chevres. Whiskeys. Tomatoes. Taste the difference? Lettuce Soup? In the right hands, lettuce taste like a luxury, I swear.
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As I write this to introduce dusted page cookery, I know that what this is ultimately about is exploration and discovery. These vintage cookbooks can be the starting point. Professional chef, home cook or new explorer, cooking is about being open to new things, learning, creating and connecting. If you've never heard of Potica but you found a recipe, find someone who knows and ask them for tips. If you acquire a bowl of quince and you're not sure what to do, don't google it. Call your grandma. Spend an afternoon reading a cookbook. Go to a farmers market. At dusted page cookery, the book is an opportunity. Where you go with it is up to you.
