I will never forget the moment of my first daughter’s birth. Kristina kept me in labor for a long time, but came out with her eyes open wide and looking around. You could almost read her face – it was a look you can still see on her face to this day of – “Wow! What can I do now? Let’s go!” Her first word was “hat” because she wanted to put on her hat and go out into the world. Kristina still has the same look and sense of adventure. She wants to do everything and enjoy life to the fullest. Kristina is also an extremely hard worker and lets nothing stop her from accomplishing her goals. There is always something going on with Kristina, that sometimes I wonder how she finds time to eat, sleep, and breathe. She runs two very demanding and high-powered daily websites, “The Daily Dish” at BetterRecipes.com and owns Cooking Contest Central. She puts her heart and soul into these ventures every single day. I am so proud of her. Kristina has already done so much in her life, and I look forward to all of her future endeavors.
This is one of my favorite photos of Kristina in Tyler Florence’s kitchen store in Mill Valley, California, reading what else – cookbooks!
Kristina and her winning check from Guy Fieri when she won his “Pork Personality Contest” at the New York City Food and Wine Festival.
Kristina is always traveling the world in search of adventure and to taste the culinary delights of every country, including here at Macchu Picchu in Peru where their main dish is “cuy,” which is guinea pig.
Kristina also finds it just as much fun to eat homemade cotton candy from “Art” at the fabulous Four Seasons in Seattle.
Proud owner of Cooking Contest Central!
Happy Birthday, my sweet girl! Have fun celebrating in New York City today. You have all kinds of surprises coming! I love you!
Debbie — – Your beautiful and very successful birthday “Apple” did not fall far from the Vanni tree!
Bon Appetit, Y’all!
Debbie, enjoyed reading the beautiful birthday tribute to your lovely and accomplished daughter. Hope Kristina has a fun-filled day!! 🙂
Have a wonderful day, Kristina!!
What a beautiful post!! Have a very special birthday Kristina!! Cheers to you!
Happy birthday, Kristina!! So much love and expressed here
Happy birthday, Kristina. I hope you have a wonderful day full of great food and great experience (and a great cake, too).
Loved your blog! Your first born is truly someone to admire and be proud of! Good “growing”-up a great daughter and young woman!
You all are so sweet! I just heard from Kristina, and she had a great sister-bonding birthday with Kara. They had dinner at the beautiful old Sherry Netherland and then saw the BroadwayTony winner, “Once,” followed by a final birthday champagne at the top of the Mandarin Oriental.
I enjoyed reading about Kristina and seeing her lovely photos. What a treasure to have such a wonderful daughter and friend. Kristina does run the best recipe and contest cooking websites, so thank you Debbie for sharing her with all of us, and thank you Kristina for all your creative, diligent, & inspiring hard work for all of us who love being in the kitchen. Happy Blessed Birthday to our fabulous ‘cooking-sister’, Kristina!