My second column for the News…

“You are both mother and Martha Stewart/Daniel Boulud hybrid!” my inner voice booms.

As of late, I’ve labeled this sometimes nagging–though, today, decidedly more cheerful–voice to be my Daily Cooking Quotient (DCQ). It monitors my culinary rehabilitation, usually making me feel like a domestically-challenged, “Newlyweds” version of Jessica Simpson crossed with “Semi-Homemade” Sandra Lee…

New York Daily News: Full Plate

“With so many food blogs out there, it’s hard to think of what’s actually missing… But here’s one that fills the void: Full Plate, which the author, Brooke Parkhurst, refers to as ‘a Carrie Bradshaw-cum-June Cleaver style diary with a nod to Bridget Jones.’ But that’s not all. As she tries to ”reclaim her kitchen” after a long book tour, she will rate her progress with a ”Daily Cooking Quotient” (or DCQ) between 1 and 10.

Bloggers, welcome to the dance floor.” 

Daily News Launches “Sex & the City”/Bridget Jones-Inspired Food Blog

And a nice full-page feature article in the print version of the New York Daily News…

[Brooke Parkhurst] the West Village author–who once hosted a cooking show for ABC News and now has a five month-old baby–refers to “Full Plate” as a “Carrie Bradshaw-cum-June Cleaver style diary with a nod to Bridget Jones.

Eat ‘em Up! Our three new food blogs: Mothership Meals, Full Plate and the Wine Explorer

She’s up! Go read my newlywed/new mom/working girl cooking rehab column over at the Daily News. My exploits should be tasty.

Strap On Apron, Fasten Pearls… Cook?!

4:45pm–Greet babysitter at door wearing Forever 21 hot pink nightgown (possibly scare her with half-wet hair, blotchy skin–the official face of motherhood?), black eye-liner (very important to be Audrey Hepburn-esque when wearing large, shapeless chef’s jacket) and baby spit-up on upper arm.

5:00–Give sitter a tour of our West Village shoebox-in-the-sky (800 sq feet; 5^th floor), demonstrate usage of Parker’s dozen baby seats, location of formula and emergency pink onesies.

5:05–Very nervous. Hail taxi to drive mere 14 blocks north. Ridiculous. Feel like prissy character on Gossip Girl who can’t walk in heels. First day cooking class jitters make me obsess over Sweet Potato Tart with Garlic Custard (when to add egg yolks to hot cream mixture?? Won’t eggs scramble??).

5:06–What if Sherry Shrimp & Grits turn out to be clumpy mess? Will raspberries explode in muffin batter? How does Nigella do this day, after day (and keep those plunging V-neck cashmere sweaters clean???)?

5:15–Find Jamie cool, calm, collected in our kitchen classroom w. 25 year-old chef’s assistant drooling over him. Do I want to wring her neck? Pat husband proprietarily on ass? Decide to do neither; have baby at home and must feign maturity. Finish prep work.

6:05–Students file into class looking bit overwhelmed by vast expanse of stainless steel, large knives. I wonder if 4 longest hours of my life are about to commence…

9:00–Love my class! Love manning the champagne bar even more! Simultaneously fulfilling Young Professor/Hip NYC Bartender dream.

Midnight–Crawl into bed, realize I was just paid to spend Friday night with internationally best-selling author, big time producer, charming British couple and ten others. Moreover, grits did not clump, raspberries did not combust! A very good night.