Cookbook Author Annette Leeds

When I sat down to interview Annette Leeds about her new cookbook "Hey! You Got Balls, I immediately looked at the recipes to see if it is was going to make me blush. I was happy to see delicious recipes of every type of meatball from around the world, and it made me hungry.

Annette Leeds published Hey! You Got Balls in the summer of 2009. She is an epicurean chef of creative proportions.

Q: How old were you when you knew you wanted to cook?

Around 10 years old. I used to watch my mom cook. She did it with such confidence. There was a time when I thought, "what is she doing?" But at the end we had a new innovative meal for dinner.

Q: What person would you watch growing up that influenced you?

My sister Kathie. She was so 'together'. She demanded the room always, and she is always so funny. Never did you know what was coming next from her. I love that in her.

Q: What does your family think about your cooking?

They always look forward to meals that I prepare... it is always somewhat of a surprise!

Q: What was your first major success as a cook?

Cooking for celebrities at my home.

Q: Where did you grow up?

Southern California.

Q: What is your favorite dish that made you famous?

I love Italian food. I could really live on it. Whether it is at night I make it, or cold in the morning. My home-made sauce, I must say is to die for. My son searches the house when he comes home knowing I have made it.

Q: Tell us about why you wanted to cook as an entertainment chef?

Actually that was not the goal...but I found that people are extremely intimidated at the thought of cooking-- so standing and showing them how to cook grew into the entertainment aspect.

Q: What are your favorite type of dishes to cook?

I don't think I really have a favorite dish, so much as what kind of food I am in the mood for. But, probably eggplant parmesan.

Q: What was your cooking secret that set you apart from anyone else?

Developing dishes with the ingredient that my guests as individuals preferred the most !

Q: What difficulties did you have in your life that you have overcome?

I think rejection is always the hardest thing to deal with, especially when you are being creative. I wrote a psychological drama about five years ago, and I thought the publishers would be knocking down my door. Didn't happen. But, that book had special meaning to me and still does. So if you can build your strength as you grow that is the best. I feel I can look at a situation and always learn or take something valuable from it.

Q: What daily practices do you?

Constantly combine recipes in my head. Especially when I am driving. I think of all sorts of good stuff that I want to make.

Q: Why did you make the leap from business entrepreneur to chef?

It just happened through the process of home entertaining....It was never the goal. But I think when you love something enough, it just comes out of you with ease.

Q: What was one of the first things you discovered as an chef that was different than your prior endeavors that you love?

You are the creator of whatever you are making, and there is no hard and fast rule on what goes in any recipe. I am always in control of what I develop and make...Sometimes they don't turn out and you just have to laugh. Most of all people love food, and no matter what mood someone is in you can always cheer them up with their favorite dish.

Q: Why did you decide to make these cookbooks?

I found that since most people are extremely intimidated at the thought of cooking, creating "theme foods" would draw their interest and show them that cooking can be fun.

Q: Was it easy for you, to come up with these fabulous recipes?

No,... it took quite sometime to make them healthy and to make sure all the ingredients were easy accessible for first time cooks.

Q: What is your long term future plans with cooking?

Keep developing interesting dishes with different tastes and appearances.

Q: What was it like working with your husband in the kitchen?

Easy.. we have common views on most things, and so with cooking we play off one another, we feed off ideas from each other.

Q: What type of show would you like?

I think an entertainment cooking show. Interactive with guests, and showing your viewers that anyone can be a part of their kitchen. Plus having a few laughs to me is everything, so cooking and sharing the kitchen is so much fun.

Q: What are you currently doing now?

Getting ready for the release of my first book and developing recipes for my 3rd.

Q: What is your goal for this upcoming year?

My goal is to share my cooking ideas with the world. I am not sure right now how I will become the next face of cooking, but I am confident it is in the near future.

Q: How do you have fun and relax?

I love the beach, it is so powerful, yet beautiful at the same time. Yoga is my new thing, too. My niece took me to Kundalini yoga. What an experience. I laughed at first, but, when the session was over, I felt so amazing.

Q: Tell us about your hobbies?

Working at the church feeding the homeless and helping my mother in her church kitchen at weekly events. I also love to write. I have written a few television sitcoms and they are funny. When I go back and read them I enjoy each word.

Q: Do you have any special thanks to give anyone in your life?

My parents and my family. My kids think I can do no wrong. They are always wondering what might be coming next from me. That makes me thankful. The smile on their faces when they are surprised or in awe is the best feeling ever.

Q: What message would you give people who think they can't cook?

Try it.....you'll love it.

Bobbi Miller-Moro is an award winning artist, filmmaker, author.
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