.jpg "headshot")
Hi, I’m Courtney, the creator (and author-photographer) of Cook Like a Champion. I share the title of cook with my husband Eric, the tech support-kitchen cleaner-proofreader behind Cook Like a Champion. We both love cooking, baking and entertaining, and we spend most of our spare time in the kitchen. When we’re not eating food, chances are we’re thinking or talking about it.
I started this blog in 2008 as a way to chronicle recipes I was making as a newlywed. Along the way, Eric became interested in cooking and baking, and we’ve been unstoppable ever since. Our palettes have grown and expanded the same way our confidence in the kitchen has. Neither of us has any training, but we do have a lot of experience (along with the burns and occasional failures that come with it). We love trying new recipes and techniques and are constantly pushing each other to do so. No matter what we’re making, we always have fun doing it. We hope this blog will help us continue to learn and evolve in the kitchen and encourage and inspire you to try new things.
We currently reside in Central Virginia and love all the wonderful foods and wines the area has to offer. We welcomed our first child, Clara, on March 5, 2012 and are enjoying every second with our newest kitchen helper.
.jpg "Champion NB_032")
And yes, our last name really is Champion.
24 comments
Hi Courtney!!! This is Jess, Brian’s wife….he was so excited the other night when he came home from meeting with you all and told me all about your website for cooking. I have enjoyed perusing it ever since!!! I definitely have to say that all of these wonderful kitchen creations were not being made when I was in the town home, but you have inspired me and I am going to start trying some of these recipes as well!!! They look delicious and they are even pretty to look at!!!
Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself (I really do exist hahha) and say hello. Maybe we could all get together sometime – I would love to meet you and Eric, the dog and 2 cats : ) Until then, I will continue to enjoy your FABULOUS blog, and hopefully be able to make some of these things too!! Thanks for the ideas!!
Thanks, Jess! That’s so sweet of you to say! You’ll definitely have to come over soon to meet us and the animals. : )
Great blog. Very nice pictures. Thanks for all the recipes!
Where in Central VA do you live? I grew up in Charlottesville and now I’m in Richmond. Small world!
Anyway, I found your blog on the Nest (I’m a lurker) and all of your wonderful blogs inspired me to start my own. I’ve made a ton of things from yours and have a list a mile long of other things to try. I’m constantly amazed by the beautiful photos you take…just gorgeous.
Just wanted to say hello from a fellow VA blogger!
That’s so funny! I actually live in Richmond, too. We’ve been to Charlottesville several times; we love all the wineries there.
Your blog looks fantastic, and I love the name. Thanks for your sweet comments!
Hi Courtney.
I came across your blog today from a Pinterest site and I just wanted to let you know how great it is. I looked back through your recipes up until 2009 and it is amazing how your photos changed. You definitely take some beautiful pictures of your recipes. I have saved many of your recipes to make and will keep following you. Just wanted to say thanks for all your hard work!!!
Shelly
Shelly, thank you so much for the super sweet comment! My photos have definitely changed over the years, but I know I still have room for improvement.
I’m so glad you found some recipes you like, and I hope you’ll let me know how they turn out for you when you try them.
Wow – I just saw this post about you living in Richmond, too! Small world, huh?
Also – just wanted to tell you that I’d like to pass on the Stylish Blogger award to you! Love your blog…you can pick up the award on my blog post:
http://cookingwithwineinafish-bowlsizedglass.blogspot.com/2011/03/blog-award.html
That’s so cool! I’ve gotten a couple comments from other bloggers in the area. We should all meet for dinner sometime soon!
Thank you so much for the award and the sweet comment.
Just wanted to say I found your blog today and I’m smitten with so many of your recipes! I also live in Richmond, and wrote a food blog last year but gave it up after awhile. We have similar tastes in what we like to cook – I’ll definitely be following along from now on! Maybe I’ll see you guys around at the SOJ market this summer
Thank you so much! I’m so ready for the SOTJ market to start again. You’ll have to say hi if you see us!
Hello!
I came across your blogs randomly and I have to say that your recipes look fantastic! Unlike others who have commented here, I’m actually a university student from Canada, and everytime I go home(live on residence), I always look forward to cooking up a storm in my mom’s kitchen! Thanks for providing me with some new recipes to try out at home!
Keep on cooking!
Hi Courtney,
Thanks for following on twitter! Just started following you back, so I am looking forward to seeing what else you and your hubby cook up!
As of the middle of this month, I will be moving to Richmond. I notice that you live in Glen Allen. What a small world! I also saw that you had mentioned wineries in the area. Which ones do you suggest? Any fave restaurants?
Happy Cooking!
Amy
Hi there, I’m cooking the chowder right now! Looks and smells great! I love your site – it’s great to see such nice food and pictures of it. Plus much of the warming food is perfect for here in not so sunny England! Keep up the good work!
How fun! I’ve got tons of favorites, so I’ll shoot you an email soon. Maybe we can meet up one day, too!
Hey Courtney! I just happened to stumble upon your blog, and I love it. I’m still in high school, but cooking has recently become an interest of mine. I plan on trying a lot of your recipes! Keep ‘em coming and cheers from Kansas!
Hi Courtney!!! I’m so glad we got to meet this weekend
I finally got a chance to check out your blog and it’s AMAZING!! I especially love all the beautiful pictures. I can’t wait to try some recipes! Keep in touch 
Stephanie
Courtney,
Came across your blog the other day and its really great…the recipes are amazing and the photos are really just goregous. I’m from Northern Virginia and just started a food blog, so I wanted to drop you a line!
I have followed annie for some time now..your blog looks fantastic..how do I join? would LOVE to get your daily updates if you offer them! THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH Cathy in las Vegas
Hi, Courtney, it’s MrsMincks from the boards
I just wanted to say that I saw your opera cake on the boards, and then saw it on Foodgawker! I was so excited to see it twice that I took it as a sign…I have to try and make it!
Just found your blog, and I’m loving it! It’s so fresh and nicely organized, I’m looking forward to trying some of your recipes! Love that you got your husband interested in cooking too, I’m working on getting mine past breakfast foods (which he’s AWESOME at, so I KNOW he can do more!)
I love your blog! This sounds so much like my boyfriend and me– we just love cooking and thinking of new ideas with food! Glad I ran across your blog!
Courtney,
I came across your blog today after reading about the virtual baby shower on The Curvy Carrot. What a wonderful site! Your recipes look amazing and I can’t wait to try some of them. I also love that you live in Virginia (I think?), as do I! Thanks for sharing your ideas, recipes and encouraging others!!!!
Hi Courtney, I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now, and only realized tonight that you’re in Richmond! I found you by clicking through from Pink Parsley. I’ve lived in Hanover Co. and worked in Richmond all my life! Small world! You’ve got a great site and another local fan! It looks like I’m in the minority (male) based on your comments section!