Judy and her lovely daughter Jess.
If you have lived in Franklin for any length of time you know who Judy Grandelis of AmaZing Foods Catering & Cafe is. Judy is a born and bred Franklin-ite and a true “foodie” through and through. Besides her exceptional culinary skills she is also an epicurean entrepreneur and is well known for business endeavors from Abruzzi Kitchen Specialties and Bella Cucina to her current business AmaZing Foods Catering & Cafe. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Judy at her charming cafe and here is my Interview with an Epicurean Entrepreneur:
Judy, what do you like to do to relax?
Read cookbooks (her favorite one that she goes to time again for reference: The Joy of Cooking) and doing crosswords.
What is your ideal vacation?
Cinqueterre in Italy on the coast of the “boot”. It’s incredibly beautiful. (Take me with you…please!)
Who is your favorite chef?
Bobby Flay, with Giada De Laurentiis as a close second.
What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?
Garlic. (spoken like a true Italian!)
A sharp knife is a cook's best tool.
What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had?
It was in Siena, Italy with my husband Henry, my cousin Joyce and her husband Bob. We ate at this great place, La Tellina, and we had these incredible Mussels e Brodo (steamed mussels in a wine broth) with big hunks of crusty homemade bread, it was AMAZING!
If you could pick anyone in the world to have dinner with who would it be?
Eric Clapton, I love him and his music.
What do you cook for yourself when you’re not working?
Pasta, anything with pasta in it. (gee Judy, are you sure you’re Italian…?)
What 4 items do you always have in your kitchen pantry?
Garlic, lemons, olives & olive oil.
If you were stranded on a deserted island what 3 kitchen items must you have?
My knife, wine (oh yeah, I like this girl), and garlic.
If you couldn’t cook, cater or run a restaurant, what would you do?
I’d be a matchmaker, I like connecting people.
Tuna pannino with artichokes & kalamata olive pesto with a side of pasta salad.
Thanks to Judy for taking some time out of her busy schedule and spending some time with me. If you haven’t tried AmaZing Foods Cafe yet, stop in and try one their delicious pannini or fresh salads. Don’t forget they are open for breakfast too!
