Today, we are heading back out to sea because there was no way we could fit all things fish and seafood into one episode. Think of this episode as the sister conversation to our recent fish episode.

For me, seafood has usually been a ‘restaurant meal,’ but as usual, Jody and Kirstie have removed the intimidation factor, and now I’m ready to cook seafood in my own kitchen. Jody and Kirstie share their favourite recipes and tips for scallops, shrimp cocktail, and mussels, and they also share some of their favourite ceviche stories from Mexico and Peru.

In this episode, each seafood has a story, and you won’t want to miss a single one.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why frozen at sea scallops are often a better choice in Ontario, and how to tell when they are perfectly cooked
• How to retire the frozen shrimp ring and make simple, flavourful shrimp cocktail at home
• Practical tips for buying, cleaning, and cooking mussels, and how the sauce more or less makes itself
• Real world ideas for seafood boils, kitchen parties, and feeding a crowd with one big pot
• Travel stories from Peru and Mexico that bring ceviche, leche de tigre, and coastal seafood culture to life
• A quick primer on how acid “cooks” seafood in ceviche, and why freshness matters so much
• Why oysters, mussels, scallops, and shrimp all feel so communal when you share them around a crowded table

Chef Over Your Shoulder is our podcast about the connections we make through cooking. Pairing professional Chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreitand from the Culinary Studio with me, a burn-to-the-bottom-of-the-pan expert, creates the perfect “recipe” to demystify the kitchen and bring back the joy of cooking…without the pressure.

Today is a special episode. It is the first in a new ongoing series that takes you behind the scenes of Jody and Kirstie’s cookbook journey. They are taking hundreds of their original, much loved recipes from The Culinary Studio and turning them into a cookbook. In each episode, you will hear about the funny moments, the big wins, and the ways they work through challenges along the way. From Swiss Chalet meetings, to finding handwritten recipes in old journals, to rigorous recipe testing happening in kitchens everywhere, including mine.

This is not a glossy “for display only” cookbook, it is being built for everyday cooks and chefs of every experience level, from Red Seal pros right down to people like me who’ve been known to burn soup to the bottom of the pot.

And if you happen to be a publisher looking for a tested, community-powered cookbook from Canadian chefs with fifteen years of teaching experience, we would very much like to hear from you.

Chef Over Your Shoulder is our podcast about the connections we make through cooking. Pairing professional Chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreitand from the Culinary Studio with me, a burn-to-the-bottom-of-the-pan expert, creates the perfect “recipe” to demystify the kitchen and bring back the joy of cooking…without the pressure.

Connect with us!

The Culinary Studio Website

The Culinary Studio Instagram

Amy Schlueter Instagram

The Culinary Studio Facebook

The Culinary Studio TikTok

On today’s episode, we are talking about quitting. Jody shares the story behind her viral “I Quit” post. She’s not quitting cooking altogether; instead, she’s quitting the role of default family cook and handing some of that responsibility over to her kids.

Jody shares what has actually happened now that her kids are in charge of making dinner. We get into the real side of it all, from burnt croutons to successful Thai curry.

You will hear how this experiment has given Jody the gift of time and how both Kirstie and I are inspired to try something similar in our own kitchens.

Our conversation is funny and honest, and it gives you a realistic look at how kids really learn to cook, how families can share the load, and why teaching children to feed themselves is about so much more than getting dinner on the table. Jody’s stories will give you permission to step back and the inspiration to say “I quit” in your own way, without anyone going hungry.

Chef Over Your Shoulder is our podcast about the connections we make through cooking. Pairing professional Chefs Jody O'Malley and Kirstie Herbstreitand from the Culinary Studio with me, a burn-to-the-bottom-of-the-pan expert, creates the perfect “recipe” to demystify the kitchen and bring back the joy of cooking…without the pressure.

Links and Resources

Mac and Cheese and Ground Beef

Thai Curry

Eggless Caesar Dressing Recipe

Creamy Chicken Pesto Gnocchi

Beef Broccoli Stir Fry

Connect with us!

The Culinary Studio Website

The Culinary Studio Instagram

Amy Schlueter Instagram

The Culinary Studio Facebook

The Culinary Studio TikTok