Culinary Specialist Jamie Dunn
Meet Taste of Home Culinary Specialist Jamie Dunn! Jamie conducts Cooking School shows throughout the country, focusing primarily on the Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas areas. “It is the people that come to the cooking school that really make it so much fun,” states Jamie. “Whether someone is at the school for the first time or the tenth, there is always something new to be experienced and fun to be had with new recipes and great prizes!”
Jamie and her family, which consists of her husband and three children, currently reside in Owasso, Oklahoma. Jamie graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Home Economics Education and Community Service. Jamie has previously worked as a Culinary Instructor for Tulsa Technology andBamaCookingSchooland as a high school Home Economics teacher. Some of Jamie’s favorite activities include cooking for family and friends, canning, cake decorating and gardening.
To learn more about Jamie, take a look at some of her answers to questions below!
Tell us something about yourself that very few people know? I am from Oklahoma so a love for country music comes naturally but I also have a passion for Southern Gospel music. When I am on traveling around doing shows I always check to see if my favorite groups might be performing.
If we were to open your refrigerator at home…what would we find? Condiments, condiments, condiments; my husband loves to buy and try new hot sauces, mustards and any other condiment you can think of. I have banned the purchase of any new condiments but somehow a few more seam to appear each time I open the frig door. Is this a comment on my cooking???
What is your favorite quote? “Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.” — Anonymous
How did you develop your passion for cooking/food? I started cooking in 8th grade Home Economics; my Dad was my biggest fan and would even rave if I heated up leftovers.
What is the best thing you ever ate? Of course it had to be dessert!!! A few years ago one fall someone gave me a basket of fresh picked pears. My mother in-law who was visiting and is an excellent pie maker got to work and made an incredible pie from the pears. We ate it hot right out of the oven and it was heavenly. I also love the Layered Turtle Cheesecake on tasteofhome.com
You spend so much time traveling the country, what are some of your favorite places to stop and eat? Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX is one of my favorites. When I am on the road I try to eat at local restaurants, coffee shops and am always on the look out for a fun tea room to visit. I love to watch the travel channel and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and visit some of the place I see of those shows.
Do you have any special holiday traditions? What foods were cooked for celebrations or special events? My roll in holiday cooking for our family is preparing the pies and candies. Our two favorites are butterscotch Haystacks and Oreo balls. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is our exchange of Christmas stocking stuffers. Instead of all the members of my extended family buying each other gifts we purchase or make a stocking stuffer for each person. The cost can not be more that $2 and always yields surprises and laughter.
Hi Jamie. Thank you for another great show. My favorite sponsor would have to be Johnsonville and my favorite recipe would have to be the upside-down apple pie. I cannot wait to make it (and eat it of course)
This is the 4th or 5th show I’ve seen you in & it was great as usual. I pick up new tidbits every time. Love the upside down apple pie recipe; also can’t wait to try the quiche one also. My husband loves the Johnsonville Italian sausages so I cook them often. Thank you.
Great show as always! I loved the saladmaster chopper that you displayed. My favorite recipe was the apple pie, but the cinnamon rolls and the tostados came in close 2nds. Me and my friend Jessi can not wait to try these recipes out on our next game night!
Jamie, this was my 5th TOH school. I finally WON one of the prizes, the mini quiches. YUM! The applie pie and cinnamon rolls were my favorite recipes. Thanks for another great show. I’m looking forward to next year.
Jamie – my 1st TOH school & it was a blast!! Favorite sponsor – Saladmaster I hope to someday inherit my mom’s 50+ year old set. Favorite recipe was definetly the upside down apple pie although I want to make them all! I absolutely will be attending more TOH schools.
Last night was my fourth time to come to a cooking show, and I am already looking forward to the next one.
. My favorite sponsor is probably Egglands Best. My favorite recipes are the mini maple cinnamon rolls and the mini quiche.
Thanks, Jamie for a fun show last night. I had a great time behind the scenes helping where ever needed. Your energy and smile amazes me. I know you were on your feet without a break from dawn to after midnight last night. You must have some of the energizer bunny in you. It was a great show and the audience really enjoyed it. We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Brenda–are you kidding me you were the queen of energy! You and Lori kept up will all of those dishes and the backstage like pros in our improvised kitchen. I sure appreciate your coming back to help year after year and for man power Rotary of Owasso provided for the show. Thanks for all of your hard work and support!! Jamie
Jamie, the show in Owasso was my third TOH class, and it was a lot of fun! Having had no dinner, my tummy was growling throughout the show after watching you prepare those delicious-looking recipes. My favorite recipe was the Gallo chicken and pineapple salad…can’t wait to try it. Hope to enjoy another show real soon. Thank you.
PS: In your bio above, it mentions your “roll” in holiday cooking…I believe that should be spelled “role.” That is,unless it was meant as a pun to show off yet another of your baking talents. Thanks again for a great evening!
Sarah,
Thanks so much for coming to the show! I am totally tickled by the “roll” in the bio, I will have to get that fixed–thanks for your good catch. I hope you like the salad–it is pretty yummy. Let me know what you think when you make it! Jamie
Hi Jamie!
This is the 4th time I have tried to leave a comment! Crazy! Won’t post! I really enjoyed yet another great show! The 1st time I came and everytime since I worked a table for RCB Bank on 86th Street and handed out receipe cards, with one of your receipes on it. I have worked at RCB Bank for nearly 30 years, my highlight is your show. Can’t wait to cook the upside down apple pie and the cinnamon rolls with my Grandaughter who is 9. I am trying to purchase one of your cookbooks to please have you autograph, so I can auction it off for a fundraiser we are doing for my sister in law who has throat cancer. The fund raiser will be Saturday, October 27th. I know you had cancer too. I wanted to tell you about the saran wrap suggestion at the show but was afraid I would start crying. When you mentioned it at your show a couple of years ago, my husband had just passed away, My Daughter also lives in Owasso, a couple of blocks from me. I went to her house and put her saran wrap in the freezer and didn’t tell me. She opened the freezer and saw it, didn’t ask me about it, but I over heard her telling my Son-in-law. I assured her I was not losing my mind, the suggestion came from you! We have had many laughs about it, but it sure does work!! Thank you for your time and energy and teaching us really cool things. Can’t wait for another one! Best to you and your family!:)
Billie, Thank you for being persistent in getting your comments posted–I am so glad it worked because it was a blessing to hear from you. I am so sorry about your dear husband but so glad that you have your daughter so close. Thank you for coming to the show each year. I would truly love to meet you at the next show or out and about around Owasso. I hope the fund raiser is successful and that the cookbook brings in funds to help your sister-in-law with her fight against cancer.
It is such a privilege to get to do the cooking school in Owasso and having interaction with people like you make my job a joy.
Best Regards to you and your family,
Jamie
Thanks Jamie for a great cooking show. This was my thrid TOH show and I always learn something new. Thank you. My favorite sponsor was C&H sugar. I love now that they have add Stevia to it. I made the Mini Maple Cinnamon Rolls yesterday and my husband wanted to know why he is just getting them now after 35yr’s of marriage. They were wonderful. I used frozen rolls and thawed them in hot water like you said and they work great. The plastic wrap from the freezer truly works. Looking forwards to next year’s TOH show or around Owasso. Tell your husband he is not the only who has not gotten meatloaf.
Jamie, great show in Lubbock! Really enjoyed the VIP backstage time. I’m excited about the new C&H sugar stevia blend, so I’ll be cooking the light chocolate chunk coffee cake. You always have a great and fun show!!! Looking forward to the next show.
Thank you so very much for another Wonderful show last night in Lubbock Texas. My mom, my 2 daughters-in-laws, and myself make this our annual girls night out. On the way home we were already making plans for the next one. Your shows are always so much fun. I love the gadgets you find and show, can’t wait to try all the new recipes.
Love Taste of Home cookbooks. What was the name of the one that was given in the VIP bags?
Terry,
So glad you and your daughters-in-laws came to the show and had a good time. The book that the VIP’s received was Best Loved Recipes, here is the link to it if you want to see it: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Best-Loved-Recipes/Best-Ever-Cookbook It is a fantastic book–you will love it! Thanks for coming to the show and excellent job getting your homework done! See you next time. Jamie
Hello Jamie! Thanks for another great show in Lubbock last night! Awesome as always! Saladmaster was my favorite sponsor. The upside down apple pie was my favorite recipe. Can’t wait for the next show! You are the best!
Jamie,
You did it AGAIN!!! It was a great show in Lubbock last night!! My sister, my two daughters and myself really enjoyed the VIP time & getting to visit with you. My favortie sponsor was EGG-LAND’S BEST…I LOVE those eggs! Can’t wait to make the Veggie Lasagna…See you next year!!!
Hi Jamie,
.Thank you for another great show! My daughter and i have been coming for years and always look so forward to it. My favorite sponsor is Egg-Land’s Best, i really enjoy there taste and nutritional value. I can”t wait to make the upside down apple pie. Thank”s again.
My sister, daughter and I loved your show in Lubbock. I can’t wait to use your hint of storing peeled apple slices in 7 Up to keep them from turning brown! That’s a great idea. The new cookbook sounds wonderful too. ( I’m already hinting for Christmas). My family loves vegetable lasagna, now I can make it myself! We look forward to your next show.
Jamie, Loved your show in Amarillo, you are so much fun. This is about the fourth or fifth time I have seen you and as always you did NOT disappoint.
Jamie, this was my first show and loved it. Johnsonville was my favorite sponsor we love there brauts so that probably made my decision easier, But my daugther that came with me is dying to try the chocolate chunk coffee cake. Thanks for a nice mother daughter night out.
Loved the show in Amarillo! My favorite was the pulled pork tostadas. The tip I liked the best was to use 7-Up instead of lemon juice to keep sliced apples from discoloring. My favorite national sponsor would have to be Egg-Lands Best Eggs. Thanks for coming to Amarillo year after year – it’s almost like a family reunion!
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Loved the show on Oct.9,2012 in Lufkin,Texas. My Favorite dish was the Cinnamon Rolls. And the tip to cracking eggs (together,not on bowl) I like how you are down home, not high and mighty. Keep up the good work ! Keep bringing joy to all that you teach. (Also liked the Holiday video)
The cooking school was great. My favorite thing was steak and blue cheese burschetta.
Hi Jamie, I am very late on commenting about your show in Owasso. It was great—every show I have been to I learn so much. I can’t wait to try the upside down apple pie.
What a wonderful show! The upside down apple pie that I took home was DIVINE! I cannot wait to make the stuffed mushrooms. My favorite sponsor would be Johnsonville- always high quality and so versatile.
Had a great time at the show tonight in Corsicana, TX!!! Saladmaster was my favorite sponsor. My favorite dish… hard to pick just one, so I’ll pick the Spinach, Brie & Bacon Mini Quiche.
Great show in Corsicana. My favorite sponsor was Saladmaster. Want to try the Pulled Pork and also Johnsonville Italian sausage. You gave some really good cooking tips. Hope I can remember all of them
Great show last night!!! My 10 year old and 13 year old loved it too and learned so much to help them in their Food and Nutrition project in 4-H. They can’t wait to try the cinnamon rolls and our favorite sponsor was Saladmaster.
Drove from Dallas to your Corsicana show. My second TOH show. I enjoyed you just as much this time as last. My favorite tip was to pour 7 UP over cut apples to keep them from browning. Can’t wait to give it a try. My favorite sponsor was Gallo, I don’t drink wine but I use it a lot in my cooking and their little bottles are awesome. I can’t wait to try the mini cinnamon rolls. They sure smelled great yesterday afternoon! Look forward to attending another show soon.
Jamie, I thoroughly enjoyed the Corsicana show this past Saturday. I’ve subscribed to TOH for many, many years but this was my first time attending one of their cooking shows. Thank you to you, your team, and all of your sponsors for a great show. Can’t wait to use your handy tips and all of the new recipes!!
the show in clovis was asume and we drove from ft sumner to see it my favorite recipe was the short ribs the sponsor we liked was pork nothing better we will be back next year in the vip section
Jamie,
Thanks for a great show tonight in Beaumont Texas. My favorate recipes were the stuffed mushrooms and the upside down apple cake. My favorate sponsor was Johnsonville sausage. I wish that I could have tasted some of the things you cooked.
Mark, Great job getting your homework done! A++ I wish you could have tasted the reicpes as well. Thanks for coming to the show! Happy Cooking! Jamie
I was at your cooking show in Beaumont Tx & really enjoyed it! I brought my 16 yr old daughter & we sat in the front row. She won the Grilling Stone. I’m going to make the cinnamon rolls & coffee cake. Everything u cooked looked really delicious & u have me sold on blue cheese now lol…thanx! Can’t wait for your next show!
Oh & my favorite sponsor was Mrs. Dash & EB eggs!
Favorite dish was the veggie lasagna! Favorite tip was cook w/real butter & storing plastic wrap in the freezer! You’re awesome!
Jamie, I had SO much fun last night! I was a Taste of Home virgin until last night. I can not wait to take this Saturday to prepare at least 5 recipe/meals ahead of time…to heck with “The Main Dish” You’ve got it goin’ on! Welcome to MY South East Texas. You fit right in with us and our busy schedules. I was SO wired last night I couldn’t go to sleep until after midnight! HaHa. My favorite sponsor was Eggland’s Best. LOVE eggs everyway & everyday! My favorite recipe was the stuffed mushrooms. Thank you for the Cinnamon Rolls Door Prize. Yummy and I brought 2 of them to each of four of my friends at work today. Eaten immediatly! Thank you for the cake/casserole dish as well…can’t have too many. I would LOVE to be considered as a vendor next time. I am a local artist who designs & hand crafts beaded jewelry. The rent would be well worth the show, my friend! (www.ShersWorksJewelry.com) You were great & I’d love to see you again.
Jamie, a friend and I were at your first cooking school in Beaumont, TX last year and returned this year with 5 other friends and you aced it! My friends all thought you and the school were great and we all learned something new to take away with us. Two of them even won prizes! There are so many wonderful recipes in the magazines in our “goodie” bags and I can’t wait to try some of them. My favorite product is definitely the Saladmaster and I was dying to win the beautiful skillet, however I have a number of pieces of Saladmaster and have loved them for many years. My favorite dish you made was the upside-down apple pie and after I didn’t win the skillet I was hoping I’d win that, but I guess I’ll just have to make it instead and you made it look sooooo easy. I will not forget the great tips you shared with us through the school and I really like the Saran wrap in the freezer tip the most. Thank you for a wonderful show and we’ll be looking forward to being with you again next year in Beaumont, TX!
Thanks for the show you did last night here in Beaumont,Texas.I have always wanted to go to one of these and now I am hooked! Although I had to sit in the back (I was a vendor-Sutton’s Sweets), I could see very well and follow your instructions completely. I, too, love Johnsonville (with pork you can never go wrong); but, I plan to check out Saladmaster more thoroughly. My favorite recipe was the stuffed mushrooms because my husband will love them; but, I can’t wait to try them all. I WILL see you next year!
Jamie,
My daughter Sherri and I attended our first Taste of Home show with you last night in Beaumont Texas. You were Awesome!! My favorite recipe was the cinnamon rolls and tip was putting plastic wrap in the freezer!! We are ready to see you again next year!! I’m pumped and look forward to trying all the great recipes and using my nut chopper and pie supplies I won!!! Thanks and see you next year!!
Leigh:)
Jamie,
I can not wait to get started on all of the recipes you made for us that night. My favorite recipe was the cinnamon rolls and I am planning on making them Saturday morning. I wrote down all the tips you gave us that night and can’t wait to put them to use. I loved all of the sponsors you had but was especillay impressed with SaladMaster. I will be having a dinner party with them soon! I would like to know if you could tell me where I could get one of the red aprons your helpers had on that night. I would love to have one to wear each time I use a Taste of Home recipe. I will see you at the next show along with my posse!!
I attended the show in Beaumont with a large group. We were celeberating my birthday and had so much fun!! It was the first time for all of us
Your friend,
Toni Dallison
Hi Jamie,
I really enjoyed the Taste of Home show on October 23, 2012, in Beaumont, TX. It was a pleasure to meet you and to “help” you!!! I am so glad Elizabeth Blackstock invited me to attend and be a part of your wonderful show. All of the dishes were great and I had so much fun. Look forward to the next time!!
Sincerely,
Paula Skinner
Paula,
Thanks you sooo much for all of your help with the show in Beaumont–it was a pleasure to work with you and your buddies! Jamie
Jamie was very helpful in so many ways in Cottonwood Arizona! She even signed our books! This was out 14th wedding Anniv. & it was a GREAT EVENT!!! So glad we got tomeet her!!! Thanks Taste of Home & Jamie& Verde Valley News!
Dear Jamie,
This was my very first show and I loved it. I love to cook and have dozens of recipe books and just love to read them. I love trying new things and loved watching you prepare. My favorite product has to be Johnsonville Italian Sausage. Have to tell you this. I moved here to Cottonwood, AZ. 9 years ago from Long Island, N.Y., we had all sort of ethnic foods, mine was always the Italian shops (had in abundance) with all the cheese, salami’s hanging, and all their beautiful delicious salads, stuffed peppers, etc. Anyway, I had bought Johnsonville Italian Sausage, not expecting it to be as good as something from L.I. but boy was I ever surprised, IT WAS DELICIOUS. Everyone raved about them, so of course the stuffed mushrooms were my favorite.
I do thank you, I enjoyed the show and mostly your personality. You really reminded me of Reese Witherspoon.
Darlene A. Lucas
Dear Jamie,
Tonight was my first Cooking School and I loved it. I enjoyed watching you make all the wonderful dishes. I truly liked the short ribs and the upside down apple pie.
I am looking forward to next year.
Jamie -It was great to have you back in Sierra Vista this year! As always it was an awesome show. All of the recipes you demonstrated were fantastic. I can’t narrow it down to one favorite choice, nor can I tell you I have one favorite sponsor. I am thankful that the Sierra Vista Herald invites Taste of Home to do the cooking show every year. I look forward to seeing you next year.
Regina Dexter
HI Jamie
I as at your show last night in Sierra Vista, AZ and enjoyed it immensely, even if I didn’t win any of the prizes. This was my third show and I look forward to them every year.
In answer to your question, my favorite national sponsor is Johnsonville (I LOVE their sausage), sorry, I think Egglands is overated.
My favorite dish was the stuffed mushrooms. I plan on making that in the next week, my second favorite was the chicken salad with cashews. A great Sunday afternoon lunch.
Not that you asked but my favorite local sponsor is the co-op, They have some really good and healthy food there. They are right over by the Sierra Vista Herald so you should check them out the next time you are in town. But of course the show wouldn’t happen without the hard work of Phil Vega and Bill Hess of the Sierra Vista Herald.
Carolyn McLain
Jamie:
Thanks for a great show in Sierra Vista last night. I brougt a friend (her first show) and she loved it also.
My favorite sponsor is Johnsonville, except for their smoked sausage, which I find undersmoked.
I have a question concrning one of the recipes in the magazine you taught from. Page 49, Bacon-Pork Chops with BBQ glaze. The last sentence of paragraph 4 refers to a maple mixture. What maple mixture?
I look forward to seeing you again next year.
Hi Bill,
I am so glad you enjoyed the show–I had a great time too!
I have studied the recipe you mentioned above, this is a recipe from the National Pork Board so I reviewed it on line. I think the maple glaze is a mixture between the BBQ/beer sauce combined with the maple flavoring from the cooked maple bacon. I think it would have definitely been clearer if the recipe read BBQ mixture as opposed to maple mixture. I hope this is helpful.
Thanks for coming to the show! Jamie
Hi Jamie
My mom and I have attended the Taste of home Shows since 2009. Last year wasn’t the same as the previous years. I’m not sure which receipe or sponsor was my favorite quite yet from the Sierra Vista show on Nov1 2012 but I’ve really have to share this with you. I make the chocolate chip cookie dough truffles every year around thanksgiving since the year you made them. They went over very well. I have even made them with white chocolate too. Thanks again for the great shows. Next year mom and I are hoping that maybe my sixteen year old step daughter may want to join us.
Lydia Robertson
Sierra Vista
Lydia, I am so glad you love and use the truffle recipe, it make it so worth is when you find a recipe that is good enough to be part of your collection. Thank you for coming to the show. I love coming to Sierra Vista–I had a great time doing the show. I hope to see you next year with your step-daughter! Until then, take care! Jamie
Show 10-5 Duncan Ok. This is my third show and it was the best one yet. Jamie you are very entertaining and made it very fun. I think I will be trying all the recipies but the veggie lasagna might have to be first.
I also have a question. I have searched and asked many times for a lost recipe. It is the apple pomegranate frozen jam (I’m not sure that was the name of it) that I got several years ago after the Shawnee show. They were promoting the new (at the time) ball freezer jelly jars I have lost the magazine and was hoping someone might remember it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sherry,
Thanks you so much for coming to the show again. It was fun to be in Duncan! The veggie lasagna really rocks–I hope you like it! I could not find the recipe on the website either–BUT I had it on my computer–I love that jam recipe too! Here it is:
Apple-Berry Pomegranate Freezer Jam
1 package (1.59 ounces) Ball® Simple Creations® Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 cups peeled chopped apples (about 4 medium)
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup fresh raspberries, crushed or frozen raspberries, removed from package and thawed in refrigerator, crushed
In a large mixing bowl, combine freezer jam fruit pectin and sugar, stirring until evenly blended. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine apples, pomegranate juice and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Lightly crush apples with a potato masher. Allow to cool about 15 minutes. Add apples and raspberries to pectin mixture, stirring just to combine. Continue stirring for 3 minutes. Ladle jam into clean 8-ounce freezer jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Apply lids. Let stand until thickened, about 30 minutes. Label jars. Serve immediately, refrigerate up to three weeks or freeze up to one year. Yield: five 8-ounce jars.
Thank you so much for the quick response. I can’t wait to make some more now that I have the recipe. It will be written in all my cookbooks and on my computer. Will be watching for more shows close by, Thanks again.
Jamie I attended your show as a vendor for Homeland and truly enjoyed it. My favorite sponsor is Johnsonville as I use their sausage in alot of my cooking. I think my favorite recipie tonight was the sausage stuffed mushrooms. I plan to cook them this weekend for a party I am having. Thanks for a great show!
Great job getting your homework done! Homeland was a fantastic sponsor–thank you so much!!! Enjoy the stuffed mushrooms. Jamie
I went to the Duncan show and LOVED it like always. I can’t wait until the Cooking Show comes to town. I came home last night and told my Husband “I need my oven fixed” so I can make me some Mushrooms. Thank you again for a GREAT show and see ya next time
Enjoyed your show tonight in Texarkana! Those cinnamon rolls smelled heavenly and my husbands mouth is still watering for that apple pie. Can’t wait to try out all the wonderful recipes that were in our VIP bags. We will attend again. Our favorite sponsor is Johnsonville.
Thanks again for making tonight FUN!!!
Gay and Derrick Durrant–Texarkana Texas