about us
Thank you for visiting our food blog! We’re thrilled to have you here and hope you’ve enjoyed exploring our recipes and restaurant reviews. Your support and interest mean the world to us. We invite you to come back often for new and exciting recipes, as well as in-depth reviews of the latest dining spots we discover. Happy cooking and dining!
Tara and Josh
Welcome to our food blog! We are Tara and Josh Chandler from Charleston, WV. Married for 15 wonderful years, we share our home with our three amazing children. Our passion for delicious food has led us to create this space where we can share our love for cooking and dining out. At home, we enjoy crafting special date night meals that bring a touch of romance and excitement to our evenings. Cooking for our family is a joy, and we love preparing wholesome, tasty meals that our children adore.
In addition to our home-cooked adventures, we cherish our date nights out, exploring the vibrant restaurant scene in and around Charleston. From cozy cafes to fine dining establishments, we relish the opportunity to experience new flavors, unique vibes, and exceptional service. Beyond our culinary pursuits, we enjoy spending time outdoors, exercising, and simply being together. Our blog is a reflection of our shared passions and our commitment to savoring every moment, both in the kitchen and beyond. Join us on our journey as we explore the delightful world of food, family, and togetherness.
Here's the story of where we came from!
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It all started with a love for food and photography. For years, we shared snapshots of our culinary adventures on our personal accounts—Tara cooking up everything from cozy family dinners to indulgent date night meals, and Josh capturing every delicious detail. Friends and family would constantly tell us, “You two should open a restaurant!” But while running a restaurant wasn’t feasible, we knew we could create something else that combined our passions: a food blog.
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The dish that really pushed us to make the leap? Our Chilean sea bass with seared scallops. It was one of those perfect meals, where everything came together beautifully—the sea bass fillets, lightly dusted with flour and pan-seared until golden, were paired with “dry” sea scallops that were seared to a perfect golden brown. And to top it all off, we made a silky Beurre Blanc Sauce, flavored with lemon, capers, and white wine. The flavors were amazing, and when we posted the photo, the reaction was overwhelming. That’s when we realized we had something special.
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We decided to turn that excitement into something more—a food blog where we could share not only our favorite recipes but also our love for creating and enjoying meals together. It’s become a shared hobby that we both love, and we’re so thankful for the encouragement and support from those who’ve been with us along the way.
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?? Why "Wine Cheese Scallops" ??
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When we first started dating, our culinary adventure began quite unexpectedly! Josh had always enjoyed eating, but when it came to the world of fine dining and experimenting with high-end dishes at home, he was a bit of a newbie. One of our early dates took us to Blackhawk Grille, a cozy spot known for its delicious seafood. Tara, ever the food enthusiast, raved about how amazing sea scallops were. Naturally, we ordered a scallop appetizer, and this dish ended up being a turning point for Josh’s relationship with food!
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The moment he took that first bite, his eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. The flavors, the texture, the way the scallops practically melted in his mouth—it was love at first taste! That dish, with its buttery, tender sea scallops, was something Josh had never experienced before, and it unlocked a whole new world of culinary possibilities for him. In that moment, Josh’s journey as a foodie officially began, and there was no turning back. Ever since then, sea scallops have held a special place in our hearts (and on our plates!), becoming a staple in our home cooking adventures.
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When it comes to scallops, they’re not just any seafood—they're the gold standard! Scallops are delicate, sweet, and almost luxurious. Whether they’re served seared to perfection with a crisp golden crust, bathed in a tangy lemon butter sauce, or paired with creamy risotto, their versatility is unmatched. We love how scallops can take center stage in a dish or elevate a meal as an elegant appetizer. They’re the kind of ingredient that makes you feel like you’re dining at a five-star restaurant, even when you’re in your own kitchen!
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Now, let’s talk about the "Wine Cheese" part of the name, which marked another big milestone in Josh’s culinary evolution. Back then, his experience with wine was pretty limited, and to be honest, he wasn’t much of a fan. He’d only tried red wine and wasn’t exactly impressed. But that all changed when Tara, like a seasoned sommelier, introduced him to the beautiful world of wine pairings. We started with a cabernet, the kind of wine that’s bold and flavorful, and paired it with a selection of cheeses that brought out the best in each sip.
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Josh was blown away! Who knew that the right pairing could make such a difference? It wasn’t just about drinking wine or eating cheese; it was about how they complemented each other. The richness of the cabernet softened by the creamy texture of a brie, or the sharpness of a cheddar enhanced by the wine’s tannins—it was like a culinary symphony. From that moment, wine and cheese became more than just food and drink; they became a shared experience, a way to explore new flavors and textures together.
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Pairing wine with cheese is an art in itself. The trick is to find a balance where neither the wine nor the cheese overpowers the other. A bold red like cabernet or merlot pairs beautifully with aged cheeses like gouda or cheddar, while a crisp white like sauvignon blanc complements the creaminess of goat cheese. And let’s not forget about sparkling wines—they’re the perfect match for soft cheeses like brie or camembert. The bubbles and acidity cut through the richness, making each bite feel light and refreshing.
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But why stop at just cheese? One of the best things about wine is that it can elevate so many dishes. A light, zesty sauvignon blanc pairs wonderfully with seafood dishes, while a robust red wine like malbec can stand up to the heartiest steaks or lamb chops. Exploring these pairings has become one of our favorite things to do together, turning each meal into a little culinary adventure.
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And that’s how Wine Cheese Scallops was born! It’s not just a name; it’s a story of our journey as a couple and as food lovers. It’s about discovering new tastes together, experimenting in the kitchen, and sharing those special moments when a dish or a pairing just blows you away. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best memories are made over a plate of scallops, a glass of wine, and a little bit of cheese.
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