Every good adventure needs a traveling companion, and I’m lucky enough to have the very best one on the planet! Steve has been my best friend, co-pilot, taste tester, technical wizard, grocery shopping partner, and biggest champion for more than 32 years. But our story actually began ringside at a dog show, where we first met through our shared love of Chow Chows.
For more than two decades, we bred, showed, and lived with these incredible dogs, spending countless weekends traveling from one dog show to another. Those years taught us that the best memories aren’t just made in the show ring—they’re found in the little cafés after judging, the roadside diners, the local bakeries, and the hidden treasures discovered along the way. Looking back, those adventures planted the very first seeds of what would eventually become Dog in the Kitchen.
Because of my vision loss, I no longer drive, so Steve really is the driving force behind all of our adventures. Whether we’re heading to Cannon Beach for the day, wandering the back roads in search of a hidden bakery, or setting off on a road trip across the country, he’s always ready for one more stop if it means discovering something memorable. And ALWAYS taking the mystery route to get there!.
One of our favorite “vacations” doesn’t even require a suitcase.
We have adventures everywhere we go! You’ll often find us wandering the aisles of our local Asian food superstore, filling the cart with unfamiliar vegetables, interesting sauces, Japanese snacks, fragrant spices, and ingredients we’ve never cooked with before. Half the fun is asking, “What can we make with this?” Those little shopping trips have inspired more recipes than I can count.
Steve is also our resident expert on Oregon’s outstanding craft beer and wine scene. He enjoys discovering local breweries, visiting the regional vineyards, and pairing them with our favorite foods. His recommendations have added another delicious layer to many of our adventures.
Behind the scenes, Steve’s technical know-how keeps Dog in the Kitchen moving forward. Whenever I get tangled in websites, software, or one of those mysterious computer gremlins that appear at exactly the wrong moment, he’s the calm voice (nickname is Even Steven) that helps me find a solution.
ABOVE: Steve is teaching Onni how to use technology to plan his next dog walk
BELOW: Showing kids his IPhone in Chiang Mai Thailand. They had just barely gotten electricity in their remote hilltribe village…. and were really impressed!!!
As Dog in the Kitchen continues to grow, he’ll be taking on more of the technical side of things, freeing up time for me to focus on the storytelling, artwork, gardening, and recipes that bring this little corner of our world to life.
Together we’ve traveled throughout the United States and around the world, collecting not just photographs, but memories—shared meals in tiny cafés, unforgettable restaurants, bustling markets, quiet coastal towns, and conversations that linger long after the plates have been cleared.
Those experiences have become the heart of Dog in the Kitchen. So if you enjoy the stories, the recipes, the artwork, or the little details tucked into each adventure, chances are Steve had a hand in making them possible.
I’m incredibly grateful that the young man I met at a dog show all those years ago who surprised me with live lobsters at my doorstep as a romantic gesture, has been beside me for every step of this journey. Here’s to many more miles, many more meals, and many more epic adventures together.
Thank you, M’Love!!!