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Everyone is invited to go with Krista on what she describes as her “foodie adventures.” It’s the call to have the courage to try something new, whether that is eating food, making food, growing food, or learning about food. Using obtainable ingredients to create recipes that are attainable and inclusive, she shows that cooking can be a relatable and welcoming experience. To this end, Krista employs a blend of American and European or Asian cuisine. “If you can do a fusion, the recipe might seem more achievable,” she says. “And, honestly, I just like being creative in the kitchen and seeing what’s going to work out.”
Food Network comes knocking Once her food blog started to take off in 2019, a casting agent reached out to her on Instagram to ask if she would like to be a contestant on Food Network’s “Grill of Victory.” Krista was ecstatic. Since she was 16, it had always been her “pie-in-the-sky dream” to be on Food Network. She would watch Emerald Lagasse, Sandra Lee, and Rachael Ray and say to herself, “I want to do that so bad,” although she would never tell anyone. Krista went through a roller-coaster two months of auditions and was accepted. Then Covid happened. The production date was pushed back, and the show with Krista did not air until mid-2022. She jokes, “For years, I am sitting on this, I am on Food Network, and I can’t tell a single person.” She is now on the newsletters and e-mails of various casting companies, and her next “pie-in-the-sky dream” is to become a TV cook. “That would be amazing,” she enthusiastically laughs. In addition, Krista is a food stylist for various brands. This all began when a producer, searching for a stylist for a famous American whiskey, reached out to her. Krista thought, “That looks pretty. I can do fun garnishes.” Her triadic dream came true, combining her love of cooking, TV production, and art. When she is making food images for her blog, she wants the images to be indicative of what the food will look like and not overly styled. When she is styling for a print or TV advertisement, she augments the look of the food or beverage. In a world of competing images, there needs to be a certain level of immediate mouth-watering aesthetic appeal. As the adage goes, we eat and drink with our eyes first.
Krista DeSocio’s food advice for people on the go
> It’s best to meal prep and plan ahead on Sunday for the week. > Avoid going to business lunches ravenously hungry. > All foods have value in moderation. > Be mindful of what and how much of a thing you are eating. > Include proteins in meals for satiety. > Go easy on the carbs, as they’ll make you sleepy. > Pair carbs with proteins to reduce spikes in blood sugars. > Pack your bags with on-the-go healthy protein snacks with really low sugar. > Carefully read food labels. > Don’t be afraid to combine home-cooked food with pre-cooked food from a restaurant or a store. > To save time, think about buying an air fryer or slow cooker. — CGM
Close to Krista’s heart are her social activities in the local community. “It makes me sad that there are so many people, especially children in this world, whose basic needs of food are not met,” she says. She uses her platform as a way to give back to the community that has been supportive of her. Whenever she can, she helps her local Second Harvest Food Bank by supporting their fundraising events, raising awareness, and volunteering. Krista’s “foodie adventures” are journeys in faith, familial love, friendship, and fellowship, as well as in unwavering support from her employer ICC International of Maryville, Tenn. For there is, perhaps, nothing better under the sun except to eat, drink, and enjoy in the company of others, and these memories will accompany us throughout all the days we have been given. EA
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