Kimberley Hasselbrink
Photo Credit: Ashley Batz
We are delighted to bring you our latest Guest Editor: Kimberley Hasselbrink! As lover's of all things food + food photography, we at The FareTrade have become enamored with Kimberley's work. From her beautifully composed shots (keep reading to see what we're talking about) to the subject matter of both her photography, as well as her brilliant new cookbook, Vibrant Food!.
A San Francisco local, Kimberley helms the lauded blog, The Year In Food, where she catalogues her culinary journey, with an emphasis on fruits and veggies.
Congratulations on your recent cookbook, Vibrant Food! Share with us the process of writing your first tome. What are some of your favorite recipes?
Thank you! It was quite a challenge. Cookbooks aren’t only about writing, and because I had so many responsibilities - the recipe development, the photography, and the writing - the writing wasn’t my primary focus. The writing happened in stolen moments - when I recalled a story, or had a little pause to think about the recipe. What I spent the most time on was recipe development. And that was hard. It’s a different standard than blogging, where a mistake can be amended later, and holding myself to that standard, and being a little bit of a perfectionist about it, made it stressful. I loved the photography most because it was immediate, and visceral, and kinetic. I find that I’m not well-suited to sitting at a computer. I love being on my feet and moving around and engaging with color and form and photography is that.
I'm super seasonally driven, so right now my favorite recipes from the book are the Apple Walnut Sage Bread, Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes, and the Roasted Cauliflower with Olives, Currants and Tahini Dressing.
What came first, your love of food or passion for writing and photography?
I think that I wrote first. As a creative person, though, it’s mostly that I thrive on having a creative outlet, and food, photography, and writing have all provided that for me. By far, it’s photography that feels the most inspiring and rewarding to me now.
It’s officially fall! What are some of your favorite seasonal ingredients and preparations?
Fall, without fail, really inspires me to get back in the kitchen. It’s pretty much the best place to be on a cold evening. I’ve been making lots of soups, and old-school bone broths, and lots of things with winter squash and sweet potatoes. I’m inspired to practice and understand gluten-free baking better, and I really want to make kimchi this winter!
Your blog “The Year In Food” has garnered you quite the following. What’s your favorite meal after a long day?
If I’m on top of planning ahead for the week, I make stuff on Sunday. I’ve been really enjoying big, hearty salads right now, like the one pictured above. Otherwise, keeping it really simple with a soup like this Caldo Tlalpeño (below).
What restaurant/chef would be a dream photography subject?
Ohhh that’s a great question! My curiosity about food is driven more by place, ingredient, and narrative, so I’d be really interested in the farmer who’s obsessed with unusual heirloom apple varieties, or an oyster farm, or following a mushroom forager around for a day. If I were to pick a restaurant whose creativity unfailingly inspires me, though, it’d probably be Bar Tartine in San Francisco.
It’s Happy Hour. What’s your drink of choice?
Water? Sometimes, rosé. In the winter on a festive night, something sparkling. Otherwise, tea.
Do you have a favorite local artisanal treat?
I love my pal Sadie’s gluten-free sourdough, Bread Srsly. I didn’t realize that I missed sourdough’s amazing flavor until I tried her bread.
What’s up next for you? Any exciting culinary travels?
Right now I’m really excited to focus on growing my photography career. After being all over the map the last couple of years, it feels good to focus on just one thing right now. I went to Alaska in August and it was amazing; hopefully more culinary travel opportunities will come my way!
Stay in touch with with Kimberley!
+ Check out Kimberley's serious photography skills here!