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Home » life

The Kittchen Turns 3!

Published: Oct 31, 2014 · Modified: Jun 21, 2018 by Kit · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

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Three years ago, on my 28th birthday, I was handed a printout and log in information for The Kittchen, and this blog was born. So The Kittchen and I have the same birthday. Tomorrow The Kittchen turns 3 and I turn 31. I never thought that my hobby would become what it is today. It's an enormous source of pride for me, because I took an empty website and turned it into a small business that I love.

I can't believe the year I have had. It was a big one. Here is a look back.

One year ago today my cookbook, The Gourmet Grilled Cheese Cookbook was released. It was a fun project that I completed almost entirely on my own (a designer did the cover and a company formatted the e-book), and it has lead to regular shipments of free cheese being sent to my house. What more could I ask for?

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The cookbook launch lead me to attending more events, meeting more bloggers, and after hosting some blogging events with a few friends, the Windy City Blogger Collective was born in January. It has become bigger and better than I could have possibly imagined. The WCBC members are my friends, colleagues, and a constant source of encouragement and inspiration.

In March, I started working with Home Chef and now you can get my recipes and the portioned ingredients delivered to your home. I also started to contribute to Coca-Cola's site.

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In June, I made my television debut on Frankenfood. I still can't believe this really happened. Yes, I came in second place, but I still consider the fact that I got to introduce America to Mac and Cheese Jalapeño Poppers to be a big "win".

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Cinq, the underground dining club some friends and I started hosted a Speakeasy Soiree and a Summer Barbecue. Last week WGN came to my house and interviewed me about the Chicago underground dining scene for an upcoming story. It was pretty surreal filming a news interview in my home - I will share details on when the interview will air once I have them.

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I spoke at Go Blog Social and met some of the nicest bloggers there. I filmed Frankenfood over the course of 10 days, and I traveled to Kansas City and spoke at Go Blog Social in the middle of it all. It was a crazy couple of weeks to say the least. The Go Blog Social experience lead to more speaking engagements. I was honored to be included as a panelist at the Foodseum/SoFab Institute's CULINARIA Query 2014 along with some much bigger names in the Chicago food scene.

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In June I got to spend a week home in Kennebunkport at the Kennebunkport Festival. It was a highlight of my summer and I am excited to go back in 2015.

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I was lucky to attend some truly wonderful events this year. I met Mario Batali at the opening of Eataly, attended Chicago Gourmet, served as the social media correspondent for BLU at the Shedd Aquarium and Chefs' Playground, and was invited to many remarkable restaurants.

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And... on November 15th, you can see me in Better Homes & Gardens' December Issue. My friend Jocelyn (here we are at A Charitable Confection - her annual charity event), gathered a group of her foodie friends to be featured in Better Homes and Garden's December Issue!

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Last year I celebrated my birthday in Napa, and this year I will be celebrating at Alinea, the best restaurant in America. I'm so excited to go and to tell you all about it!

I think that the best way to end this post is to share some of my favorite photos from the past year.

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Huge thanks to all my blogging friends for all of their love and support, I just couldn't image my life without you. I can't wait to see what the next year brings!

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Comments

  1. Jen Wold says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    Happy Birthday!!! I adore this post... The stories, the pictures- I feel like I learned so much about you! Congratulations on all your success Kit- it's well deserved. So happy to call you my friend. xx
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:07 pm

      Thanks Jennie! I am so glad that I have gotten to know you this year!
      Reply
  2. Jess Zimlich says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    Holy moly - you've had an amazing year! Congrats, Kit! I hope your birthday is the best one yet :)
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:08 pm

      Thanks Jessica! It was a blast!
      Reply
  3. grandbabycakes says

    October 31, 2014 at 11:05 pm

    Sweetheart, you are one of the most special people I know. You deserve all of this success and more! And please believe more is coming your way. I am so proud to share this blog space with you and even more proud to call you my friend. Happy 31st my dear!! And happy 3rd on the blog and other love of your life hehe!
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:01 pm

      I love blogging because I get to meet amazing people like you Jocelyn. You are the best :)
      Reply
  4. Melissa Falk says

    October 31, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    Happy Birthday to you and your website, Kit! You certainly had an incredible year and your site has inspired me to start taking portions of mine to a new and bigger level. Congrats :)
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:08 pm

      Thanks Melissa!
      Reply
  5. Mary | The Kitchen Paper says

    November 01, 2014 at 12:38 am

    Happy Birthday/Bloggiversary! You certainly have had a wonderful year — here's to an even better one coming up! xo
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:08 pm

      Thanks so much Mary! I hope we can meet up when you come back to the US!
      Reply
  6. Katie @ Live Half Full says

    November 01, 2014 at 1:56 am

    Happy Birthday/Blogiversary! I'm glad I met you! :)
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:09 pm

      Glad I meet you too! Thanks Katie!
      Reply
  7. Tabitha says

    November 02, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Happy Blogiversary!!!
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:09 pm

      Thanks Tabitha!
      Reply
  8. Margaret Pak says

    November 04, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    Kit!! Happy Birthday/Blogiversary MONTH! Such a great recap of such an exciting year for you! Wish you many many more, and so grateful to meet you at Chef's Playground!!
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:09 pm

      I am so happy that we met a Chef's Playground too!
      Reply
  9. Lauren | The Chicago Lifestyle says

    November 11, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    Congratulations Kit! Your success is inspirational and I love getting to see all the experiences and accomplishments you've had. Lauren at http://thechicagolifestyle.com
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      November 11, 2014 at 11:58 am

      Thanks so much! I hope to see you soon!
      Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      November 11, 2014 at 6:09 pm

      Thanks so much Lauren :)
      Reply

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Welcome!

Welcome! I'm Kit and The Kittchen is all about my two biggest loves: Food and Travel! Here you can discover delicious and practical everyday recipes, plus travel destinations to feed your wanderlust. Thanks for stopping by!

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