About Me

Hi! I’m Korena. Welcome to my blog!

I spend an unreasonable amount of time thinking about food, and the kitchen is where you can almost always find me, trying to turn those thoughts into reality. My M.O. is real food, mostly from scratch, with fresh, local ingredients whenever I can get my hands on them. The “from scratch” bit is partly philosophical and partly because I just really like doing it.

I’m happiest when I’m up to my elbows in flour and surrounded by butter, sugar, and eggs (and chocolate). I love to cook, but I especially love to bake. I also love a challenge, so every month I bake along with the Daring Bakers and Sourdough Surprises to satisfy my desire for big projects in the kitchen (the fancier and more complicated, the better!).

I actually started university with a plan to become a food writer, but I changed paths along the way and ended up with a degree in psychology and a spot on the varsity rowing team. Now I work in sport education and this blog allows me to be a food writer in my spare time, which is AWESOME.

My other hobbies include reading, exercising, being outside, and collecting cookbooks (which is less of a hobby and more of an addiction.) Some of my favorites include anything by Donna Hay or Canadian Living, the Rebar Cookbook, Cook with Jamie by Jamie Oliver, and Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach. And of course, my trusted friend Martha can always be counted on.

I live in the Cowichan Valley area of Vancouver Island, on the West Coast of Canada, with my boyfriend Nate and my cat Riley.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you come back soon. You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, and my RSS feed is here.

~ Korena

All content © Korena Vine and Korena in the Kitchen, 2011 – 2013. Please contact me before duplicating any content, including pictures. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Korena Vine and Korena in the Kitchen with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

22 Responses to “About Me”

Rachel April 21, 2011 at 2:43 pm #

You rock Korena! I love your photos, your site reminds me of Pioneer Woman. Makes me want to start blogging!

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- Korena April 21, 2011 at 4:38 pm #
  
  Aww, thanks Rachel
  
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Baking with Sibella March 16, 2012 at 10:50 am #

Hi Korena, what a beautiful blog, great receipes, photos, all of it! I will keep coming back!
Sibella

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- Korena in the Kitchen March 18, 2012 at 6:26 pm #
  
  Thanks Sibella I hope you do come back!
  
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  - Baking with Sibella March 20, 2012 at 5:29 pm #
    
    Korena, please visit my blog. I left something for you there!
    
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Danny May 12, 2012 at 9:54 am #

You have a great blog and I love your photos! So glad I found it today!

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- Korena in the Kitchen May 13, 2012 at 6:05 pm #
  
  Thanks for stopping by Danny
  
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Rhianna June 10, 2012 at 10:46 pm #

Hi Korena,

I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated your blog for an Illuminating Blogger Award.

My post nominating your site will appear on my blog tomorrow morning (http://mizrhi.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/illuminating-blogger-award/).

You can pick up your award graphic and instructions at Food Stories Illuminating Blogger Award page (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/comment-page-25/#comments).

Cheers!

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- Korena in the Kitchen June 11, 2012 at 9:35 am #
  
  Thank you Rhianna!
  
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  - Rhianna June 11, 2012 at 2:33 pm #
    
    Most welcome honey. My post announcing such should be out in two hours.
    
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annashortcakes August 20, 2012 at 5:29 pm #

I nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award….Congrats!!!
http://annashortcakes.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/grilled-tilapia-with-jalapeno-pesto-and-an-award/

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Angie October 26, 2012 at 11:37 am #

Just discovered your blog and LOVE it! Is there a recipe for the header image on your site? Looks great!

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- Korena in the Kitchen October 26, 2012 at 11:52 am #
  
  Hi Angie, thanks and welcome! I have not posted that recipe – the picture is from before I started this blog – but it is the pavlova from Jamie Oliver’s “Cook with Jamie”: a meringue shell filled with whipped cream, blackberries and raspberries, topped with toasted hazelnuts and drizzled with caramel. I definitely need to make it again
  
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  - Angie October 26, 2012 at 12:05 pm #
    
    I have that cookbook! I’ll have to look for it. Looks divine! Thanks
    
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Danny @ 1227 Foster December 17, 2012 at 6:03 pm #

Korena, congratulations!!! I’ve nominated you for the Reality Blog and Sensual Blogging Awards. Love, love, love your posting and your creations!

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- Korena in the Kitchen December 17, 2012 at 9:38 pm #
  
  Thank you Danny, I’m flattered. You are too kind!
  
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dutchgoesitalian January 13, 2013 at 7:03 am #

Hi, I nominated you for both the Reader Appreciation Award and The Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. You can see it on my blog: http://dutchgoesitalian.com/2013/01/13/awards-a-good-way-to-start-2013/. Happy Sunday! Letizia

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- Korena in the Kitchen January 13, 2013 at 9:03 am #
  
  Thank you Letizia
  
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milkandbun January 30, 2013 at 1:08 am #

Hi Karena! Just discovered your blog. You have so many good recipes and photos!

~Mila

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- Korena in the Kitchen January 30, 2013 at 10:17 am #
  
  Thanks Mila, and welcome
  
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fzswain May 1, 2013 at 10:38 pm #

Your blog is great! Excellent photos…I am definitely going to try some of these.

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- Korena in the Kitchen May 2, 2013 at 6:26 pm #
  
  Thank you! I hope you enjoy the recipes
  
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