Hi! I’m Beckie Hemmerling. I love food and glorify it sometimes but also think of it on a basic level of providing strength & nourishment. Cooking has helped me *try* to figure out life, not just my own, but also other peoples. I have cooked through many joys / sorrows and cooking has always been a meditative place through these highs & lows. As a professional cook, I have been a “food therapist” to each one of my clients. My clients keep me on my toes and contribute to my personal & professional growth more than words can say….
I worked in the yard of a beautiful older woman in Nashville in 1998 while finishing up a degree in Plant & Soil Science. Nicole taught me how to cook in return for this yardwork. She would cook amazing lunches and her grown children would come every day to spend lunchtime with their parents. A real rarity in this busy day and age. Her cooking and friendship changed my life & made me look at food differently.
In 2005, my husband and I went on a cleanse & cleaned up our eating habits. It redirected my profession from natural resources to chef & small business owner. We started an organic healthy meal preparation company called The Organic Dish in Boulder, CO, and sold it in March 2012 to move to lovely Charleston, SC.
I started Eat Simple Food in 2012 to re-spark my interest in & understand food at a more basic level, to refine techniques for the home cook, and to be an advocate for clean, healthy, and organic food. I make a living as a personal chef, and through freelance work as a recipe developer & food photographer, and as a consultant for food based products & companies. I supplement income through this website with sponsored posts and affiliate ads.
Interests: whiskey, knives, nature, music, dancing, exercising, yoga, hiking, birds, butterflies, snakes, my man, friends, and family.
Simple Food Philosophy
I like simple food, real ingredients, tasty combinations. Clean ingredients that are grown without hormones, antibiotics, and GMO’s (genetically modified organisms), supporting the local economy and local farmers, fishers, ranchers, etc… Sustainable food- good for your body, good for the animals, and good for the environment.
Simple Commitments
I am committed to promoting recipes and advice that are free from food fixations which take away from our enjoyment, wonder, appreciation, and curiosity of life.
Testimonials
Thanks so much Beckie, Your dinner was one of the highlights of our trip. It was such a luxury to enjoy this caliber of food at home where we could focus on each other. I also appreciated that green vegetables made an appearance…something I haven’t seen a lot of during our southern tour! Any chance you could pass along your Kale recipe?
Claire, Mountain View – vacationing on Isle of Palms
Thank you for such a fantastic experience last weekend! Lauren’s bachelorette party in Charleston was so much fun, and my very favorite part was our meal at home on Saturday night! The food, presentation, and overall experience of it all was fabulous, and you are such a delight!
Ashley, Little Rock – vacationing in Charleston
Beckie, I’ve been meaning to send you an email since last night. Thank you so much for a scrumptious meal! We had most of it again tonight after our family beach portraits. It’s been a great week, in part to your spoiling service to us!!!! We all loved it! Thanks so much!
Diane, Atlanta – vacationing on Isle of Palms
I loved the sushi and I know this is lame, but could you make it for me again next week? I have eaten both of the rolls with orange sauce and I am distraught that it is gone. I loved, loved, loved the eggplant & grits. You could truly make me that and sushi every week forever and I would be happy.
Robin, James Island
Fabulous, marvelous and delicious!!! Everyone loved the food and there was just enough for a day or two of leftovers. You were professional, conscientious and a delight to have at our wedding! Two thumbs up and five stars to you! We will definitely call you the next time we need someone to cater for us! So glad we met you. Thank you for adding so much to our day!
Dianne, Mt Pleasant
THANK YOU! I cannot tell you how much we loved what you made…still enjoying it too!! I will look on your website at some sample menu items, but honestly, I like that you came up with it and did the hard work. My husband said we have shrimp in the freezer if you want to use that for one of the meals…
Merritt, James Island
We have loved everything so far! We’re still eating the 3 fresh meals you prepared…. Greg polished off the salmon for lunch yesterday, I took some chicken and salad, and we’ve had the beef twice. They portions are definitely plenty for us! I’m looking forward to trying something new this week.
Janet, Daniel Island
All the meals have been really delicious. We have tried to recreate the shrimp and chorizo stew (we did an ok job) and the grape chicken (again, we did ok, but not as good as yours). Tom and I think you put crack in the lasagna b/c we couldn’t quit eating it. Thank you!
Ellie, Charleston
Pot roast demolished! I need to watch you do that and how you make gravy? The crusty baguette was used to soak up that yummy gravy!!! Salad was enjoyed by my husband (as well as the pot roast and soup!) and me (and yes I ate the pot roast). Soup was an afternoon snack treat that Gannon declared the best chicken soup ever!!! Yay!!!!
Colleen, Mt Pleasant
Your meal allowed us to simply sit down for a few rare moments and enjoy each other’s company while eating the comfort food that we all love.
Julia, Charleston
The food is delicious and effective – as I’m already dropping weight. So far I’ve had the turkey burgers, mushrooms, salmon, okra, a salad, and the apple/celery/nut mix is amazing. This morning I had used the cut up peppers in my eggs – that was awesome.
Kim, Charleston