Kindred Kitchens | Hilaire Baumgartner of Baumassfoods

 

This month, we're connecting with Hilaire Baumgartner of Baumass Foods - a platform brimming with delicious plant-based recipes. Hilaire believes it's possible to eat bomb-ass & meat-free food, and Baumass Foods is a testimony to that. What's more? Hilaire is a commercial and editorial food photographer and the photos in this blog are a true testimony to that. 

 

WHAT DO YOU AND BAUMASS FOODS DO IN THE WORLD OF FOOD? WHAT IMPACT DO YOU OR DO YOU HOPE TO MAKE?

I do a little bit of everything. I photograph food for local and national clients, create and share recipes on my blog and social media, and I recently just got into gardening (this is my first year!). The impact I hope to make is to just get people cooking more in their kitchens. Whether that be from growing their own food or trying new recipes/ingredients. 

 

WHAT FOOD OR RECIPE PROVIDES YOU WITH A SENSE OF NOSTALGIA, COMFORT, OR OTHER FEELING?

Red Beans and Rice and Lasagna. My mom makes both recipes and is highly requested whenever we visit out of state. Personally, what makes both of these special is that she so effortlessly adapted the recipes for me once I switched to meat-free eating. The flavors are still there and it’s just as good as before. 

 

For me, Keep Food Alive means extending the life of the food you buy or grow before tossing it. Is there a way to use up the last of the tomatoes on your counter? How can you make that limp celery work for you before trashing it? Being able to get creative with your meals and using an ingredient for multiple dishes is the best way our family combats that - but it could look different for everyone!

 

HOW DOES FOOD CONNECT YOU TO THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU?

I’ve been making friends via the internet since Xanga and Myspace days. For me, it’s really easy to connect with others on social media when I share food stuff. Every food topic, whether that be picky kids, gardening, photography, dinner prep, etc. has opened a doorway to others experiencing or wanting to experience the same thing. I do believe that in-person connections are much more valuable than digital, but it’s the initial digital connections that forge those amazing, quality in-person ones.

 

WHO IS SOMEONE FROM THE FOOD COMMUNITY YOU'RE INSPIRED BY AND WHY?

Currently, Jamila Norman from Patchwork City Farms has all of my attention! She has a show airing on the Magnolia Network called Homegrown, which is about backyard urban farming. She transforms people’s backyard into little farms! We have a small yard, and the thought of having a large plot of land for growing is overwhelming for this season of my life, so what she does is very inspiring. It shows just how attainable and beautiful home gardens can be!