Keeton in the Kitchen - A Celebration of Family, Friends and Food

ShawnKeeton has this to say about Keeton in the Kitchen: A Celebration of Family, Friends and Food

Its different from most cookbooks because it is a book that you would just sit and read, and it happens to have recipes in it. It evolved into something totally different than I expected.

It is full of stories from growing up in the Carrollton area. The recipes are based around this area and are made with ingredients that can be found locally.

ShawnKeeton’s life has been a ‘Culinary Expedition.’ … His love of cooking was conceived as a child when he watched his mother and grandmother cook comfort food, which has had a major effect on his recipes and cooking style throughout his life.

Keeton’scookbook is not your normal cookbook. The book does not just include recipes but also tells of Keeton’s culinary expedition. ~ Kristen Snyder, The News-Democrat

Author:

Wayback in the days when kids played outside all day and the parents didn't worry, we were in a different time, not only in our family lives, but food-wise as well. Restaurants were rarely ate at with most families preferring to cook and eat at home. Home cooking, so to speak, is what Shawn grew up eating and is the basis for most of his cooking today. Shawn can fondly remember the days of fried chicken, pinto beans, cornbread and kale greens steaming in bowls on the table. There were always angel food and cheesecakes around for the after dinner treats. Growing up in Kentucky gave Shawn an appreciation for the great bounty of foods that we have available to us.

As a child, Shawn found himself to be a serious eater. Many times when answering the question of how he got to where he is today, Shawn gives the simple but true answer, “I had to learn to cook because I loved to eat.” That statement defines Shawn’s culinary journey. Shawn has always been driven to cook, to explore the limits of food and the preparations that make food such a part of daily life. Growing up on a farm, Shawn came to appreciate the work involved in making a Sunday dinner, canning vegetables and feeding a crew of people.

Since the mid-’90s when Shawn’s wife and he graduated from theUniversity of Louisville and were married, they have lived on a farm in Trimble County and grown many of their own vegetables, herbs and fruits. Since his first job in the restaurant industry over 25 years ago, Shawn has worked in many different restaurant positions, including fast food, and upscale dining as well as working in sales and owning his own business. This love of cooking is what drove Shawn to start Keeton in the Kitchen.

Kristen Snyder of The News-Democrat states, “Shawn Keeton’s life has been a ‘Culinary Expedition.’ Keeton’s website also has weekly tips, recipes and any updates about the various projects Keeton is involved in.” What began as a website to provide tips and ideas for friends morphed into a blog, and many other online endeavors as well as Keeton in the Kitchen television.

Keeton in the Kitchen television is a look into Shawn’s kitchen; a chance to see how Shawn prepares and serves his dishes in both an indoor and outdoor setting. The cooking show has allowed Shawn to grow in his cooking and presentation style and represents the next chapter in his cooking journey through the teaching of cooking classes. Shawn began teaching cooking classes as a way to give back to all of those who have supported him through his cooking endeavors.

“He's a very funny guy. He’s so creative and energetic when he does the cooking program. He’s great with people and with cooking,” says Mindy Parker. The classes have been taught in a variety of settings to a multitude of diverse groups ranging from annual retreats to women's groups. Shawn also features a variety of seminars with topics ranging from knife skills to getting picky children to eat better. Shawn continues to grow his repertoire of cooking and presenting skills as well as spreading the word of Keeton in the Kitchen television.

Shawn continues to work on Keeton in the Kitchen television with a planned release of Thanksgiving 2010. Additionally, Shawn can be found teaching cooking classes as well as blogging on his website,www.keetoninthekitchen.com. Shawn can also be found on his Facebook page, Keeton in the Kitchen, as well as on other types of digital media such as MySpace and can be contacted online atshawn@keetoninthekitchen.com.

“You'll have to cook two to three meals a day for the rest of your life,”Keeton says. “You might as well enjoy it.”