Click. Drool. Repeat.

Of all of the famous chefs, cookbook authors, and television personalities that I've had the pleasure of interviewing, I have to say that Amanda Simpson, author of Food Porn Daily, The Cookbook, has been my favorite.  After our nearly 30-minute phone conversation, I smiled and thought to myself, "Now this is the kind of girl that I could become great friends with."  

In 2005, after Amanda Simpson's then boyfriend received a digital SLR (camera) as a college graduation gift, the couple found themselves photographing nearly every curiosity that they encountered.  Food, in particular, quickly became a focal point.  And the rest, as you will read in our Q&A below, is history!

*Note: "TLB" stands for The Lunch Belle, and "AS" stands for Amanda Simpson

TLB  Where are you from?

AS I'm from a very rural town in northern Virginia, but I went to college at LSU (Baton Rouge, LA).

TLB  Where did you garner your restaurant-industry experience?

AS Since the day that I was legally old enough to work (I assume that she meant "16."), I earned my keep at restaurants!

TLB  So, when did you start writing about food?

AS Shortly after graduating from college, I started a blog called "The Food Blog Blog," followed by "What We're Eating." In 2009, Food Porn Daily was born.

TLB  What brought you to San Diego, CA?

AS Work! I packed up my life in Baton Rouge and became a counselor in sunny California.

TLB  At what point did you return to the "industry?"

AS Don't get me wrong, I loved working as a counselor but, after a couple of years, I chose to follow my heart and return to where I was most comfortable: the kitchen. I was hired as a personal chef for a family living just outside of San Diego. I worked with them for three years.

TLB  How were you approached to write the cookbook?

AS Everything happened after I founded Food Porn Daily. Believe it or not, I was approached, via email, by a publishing house representative!

TLB  Did you already have an arsenal of recipes, or did you create those found in your cookbook from scratch?

AS Yes, I did have an arsenal of recipes however, for the cookbook, I created all of those from scratch. I would sit at the beach with my ideas for certain dishes, and wonder how I could make them extra delicious, and that much more food porn-y.

TLB  Your cookbook is divided/organized by season, with 5 starters - 1 breakfast - 1 drink - and 12 main courses, per season: what advice would you give someone who, say, lives in another part of the country and wants to cook something that is "out of season" for their respective region?

AS Whew! Good question. I would tell them to replace what is out-of-season in their region, with an ingredient that is in season. For example, where I live (in San Diego), the weather is mild and fresh produce is readily available. What may be in season in California, obviously may not be in season in Maine. Go ahead and substitute, say, blackberries for strawberries.

TLB  You recently finished your cross-country book tour.  How was that?

AS It was amazing! Me, myself, and I drove from San Diego to 26 cities across the USA in about 5 weeks!

TLB  OK, since we're both Southern girls, what are some recipes, from the pages of Food Porn Daily, The Cookbook, that would you recommend whipping up for a Super Bowl-watching party and/or a tailgate? 

AS Another great question! I would recommend, from the cookbook: Asian Sliders (mini hamburgers), Spicy Chipotle Buffalo Wings, Hearty Short Rib Chili, or my Duck & Linguica Gumbo.

Now go getcha' a copy of Food Porn Daily, The Cookbook!

…

Until we eat again,

Lindsay, The Lunch Belle