Welcome to My Island Bistro Kitchen

My name is Barbara and I live in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, on the East Coast of Canada.

I grew up surrounded by good cooks and I learned to cook and bake at the elbows of my Mom and Grandmother who patiently allowed me access to their kitchens and to help with cooking and baking.  From a very early age, I was standing on a chair at the counter alongside them, mixing and stirring.  Those early beginnings cultivated a lifelong love of creating with food.

I believe food should be appetizing, not only for the taste buds and stomach but also for the eyes.  I also believe that nothing compliments a fine meal better than a well-set table.  I have a passion for table settings, tablescapes and food styling!  That passion is rivaled only by my keen interest in cake, cupcake, and cookie decorating – that’s when my real creative side comes out!  I am endlessly fascinated by new recipes and new ingredients and new ways to prepare old favorites…and, sometimes, I just like the plain old favorites just the way they are!

Through this blog, it is my hope that I will be able to share some of my insights into the world of cooking and baking and inspire you to experiment in your own kitchens.  I’ll also introduce you to PEI food and beverage producers whose products I will use to create recipes which I will share with you.

So, grab your apron and come settle in for some good cooking, recipes, tips, Maritime food stories, tablescapes, and a whole lot more!

Barbara