2011……WHAT A YEAR!!!

Last year at this time, I was getting ready for Food Network Star. I knew a black car was picking
me up on January 17th, but other than that, I knew nothing! I spent the first 2 weeks of January
practicing my fish filleting skills (which I never used) my clam/oyster shucking skills (ditto) and
trying to memorize basic baking recipes had I needed to pull out a chocolate cake or muffin
recipe off the top of my head for a challenge. My husband would put on the Rocky soundtrack
and have me run around the house with my dog while yelling “Crepes! 2 cups flour, 2
eggs…..etc” until I had all of my recipes memorized. I was excited and incredibly terrified.

Now that I can reflect on this crazy year, I feel so blessed. I never went on Food Network to be
famous or rich, I went on to give Tommy and I a chance. The economy hit everyone we knew so
hard, including us. We were about 2 months away from getting our house taken away and I
thought if I went on Food Network, even if I was eliminated immediately, at least my name was
out there and hopefully my business would increase. But I got lucky (very lucky is the opinion of
many bloggers!) and stayed in the competition all the way to the finals in New York. I
embarrassed myself to get there, but hey, life happens.

When I got home in March (yes, that IS a long time to be away from home!) we were pretty
destitute! With no income while I was gone (although we did have some help from family, thank
God), Tommy was at the brink. However, fast forward a few months. The show airs. I get a lot of
publicity here and in Wisconsin. I am now getting noticed, catering is picking up and I am getting
paid to do demos around California and Wisconsin! And then POOF! Tommy gets a promotion
at Apple! Things are looking up!

NOW, things are fantastic! Catering has been SO busy, I am turning down work! I have an
amazing sous chef named David who has been a fabulous right hand man, and Tommy is loving
his job. I got an IPad to help me organize my business, time to walk the dog and clean up the
house and I am not in the restaurant business for the first time in FIFTEEN YEARS!!! Could I be
more blessed??

The most important thing to happen to me this year is my strengthened relationship with God. At
the times where I felt most alone and lonely, He was there to keep me strong. When I thought
things couldn’t get any worse, He proved that everything happens for a reason. And when I
thought that I did all of this for nothing, He showed me that I just need to wait and trust Him and
watch what He has in store for me. I love whoever said “If you want to make God laugh, tell him
your future plans!” I came away with a trust and love for God that I hadn’t felt before, and I know
that no matter how crazy life gets, lean on Him for the answers and trust in his vision for you. I
would love to go into more detail with you, but I will spare you all of my stories! But He is my
war buddy.

Thank you for all who supported me through this crazy year, and for all the haters and mean
bloggers and people who have nothing better to do than call me names, make fun of my
appearance and spread hate…..I FORGIVE YOU! God Bless everyone, have a wonderful New
Years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXO, Jyll