Olivia is an artist and chef based in Richmond, Virginia. I'm always so inspired by her beautiful floral cakes and playful spirit. Enjoy this little glimpse into her colorful world and pantry. You can follow along for more of her kitchen antics here.
What is your morning routine?
I’ve recently been doing my little jumps. I go out on my back deck, barefoot, and do some body waves, jump up and down, shake it out, maybe scream a little bit. Then I make a little shakerato with moka pot spro, maple syrup, sea salt and milk. And try to have some fresh fruit in a cute little bowl for joy, then I walk around my garden and check in on my plants.
What's your self-care flow? When depleted, how do you refill your well?
Baths are big time medicine for me. Prioritizing quality time with my girlfriends has been key to my mental health. Getting close to any body of water but best if it's the ocean, will always fill me back up. I need time to look at a clear horizon and not be tempted to make anything but let my mind imagine and body feel weightless.
Or I watch The Birdcage and cuddle with Dilla.
What gives you the most pleasure in life?
Feeding people, cooking with loved ones, eating together.
left: cake decorated with seasonal florals beside a mural she made with natural pigments
right: king cakes decorated with hoshigaki & gilt with gold
Describe your perfect day.
Wake up by the sea, go for a swim or a paddle, eat a juicy fruit. Go to a farmers market with my loves, plan what to make for dinner. Paint on a big canvas with all the windows open. Go back to the beach, play bocce ball (or “deboccery” our take on bocce ball with silly rules like you must throw with your eyes closed or do a cartwheel before etc) take a shower outside with a dirty martini, (make love), cook outside, eat outside, dance til my knees can’t take it anymore, midnight skinny dip but in bed by 10.
What is your grocery shopping routine like? Any staples?
I’m typically at a store or market almost everyday as I'm constantly trying to source the freshest ingredients for my business and I inevitably forget something.
Staples would include local eggs, cabbage kimchi, sprouted brown rice, dried beans, a whole chicken or fish, thick whole fat yogurt, seasonal fruit and veg, I love the half corn/wheat tortillas for breakfast tacos, pickles, sparkling mineral water, spicy chips !
What are your top 3 favorite cookbooks/books?
The Taste of Country Cooking by Edna Lewis
Coming Home to Sicily by Fabrizia Lanza
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
Describe for me your perfect picnic spread.
Baguette or any good sourdough that you can rip, burrata, mimolette, baby maters, olives, chorizo, smoked fish, pickles, mustard, a nice lambrusco, strawberries or a sexy stonefruit, some sort of herby spread, chips, marcona almonds and a crunchy veg!
How do you support yourself using plants?
Other than cooking with them, I'm a big tea girl. Cold infusions of Hibiscus & nettles have been so helpful in managing ovulation pain and cramps. I got into marshmallow root this winter (also cold infusion overnight) and that did wonders for my respiratory system and guided me through spring allergies but also my mood seemed to be improved which is very cancerian of me it turns out, the moon rules us both!
What are some current favorite plant allies you’ve been working with?
My mushroom guy at the market makes tinctures and I've been taking Tremella for the past few months. The benefits are honestly exhaustive but noticeable effects I’ve felt are in my gut(working!) as well as my immune system (no sickness all winter!)
Passionflower is my nighttime bestie, I love a little warm tea as I tuck into bed. We also grow the native variety in our backyard and it takes over this little archway, she also gives us many fresh may pops (passion fruits) come august. Rose body oil has been a nice welcome addition for my skin and sniffer.
Any upcoming projects you want to share? Things you’re currently looking forward to?
I've been working on some new paintings utilizing natural pigments I make with madder root, cochineal, marigold, coffee etc) in combination with oils. I’m looking forward to cooking more private events this summer and working with other buds who cook in other places. Non work related, We are going to see the solar eclipse in mallorca in august and hopefully help with harvest (wine) while we're there !