Kristi Larson

Culinary Specialist Kristi Larson

Culinary Specialist Kristi Larson

Meet Taste of Home Culinary Specialist Kristi Larson!  Kristi conducts Cooking School shows throughout the country, focusing primarily on the Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Utah and Nevada areas.  Kristi says, “I am always excited to come into a community and share my love of cooking with new people.”  She goes on to say that she “always has a great time at shows because the audience makes it fun!”

Kristi is originally from Othello, Washington and she now resides near the Salt Lake City, Utah area.  Kristi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Science Education from Brigham Young University – Idaho.  She has previously worked as an independent kitchen consultant and for a national bakery chain.  Some of Kristi’s favorite activities include reading, watching movies, and of course, cooking!

To learn more about Kristi, take a look at some of her answers to questions below!

Tell us something about yourself that very few people know?  I don’t like to wear socks, even in the middle of winter.  I try to find shoes that work well without them!

How did you develop your passion for cooking/food?  I’ve been cooking from a very young age, and find it to be enjoyable and relaxing.  I started out helping my mom and grandma make cookies.  I learned quickly that if I was the one making them, I was also able to eat them fresh from the oven!

What is the best thing you ever ate?  That’s really hard to narrow down.  Chocolate dipped key lime pie is definitely up there.

What is a funny or memorable moment that has happened in your own kitchen?  A few years ago, for Christmas dinner, I was asked to make my grandma’s traditional 3 layer gelatin salad.  I didn’t let the second layer set up long enough, and when I poured the top one on the salad, it went underneath the middle layer.  It looked awful, but still tasted good.

What was your favorite food growing up?  Dill pickles.

When did you start cooking? Who taught you to cook?  My mom let me help her when I was probably 4 or 5 years old.  I remember when I was pretty young, and I was mixing up some pancake batter from scratch.  I was trying to measure the salt, but the container slipped out of my hand and into the bowl, spilling quite a bit into the batter.  We tried to scoop as much of it out as possible, but they were still a bit salty.  I learned my lesson – don’t measure over the bowl!

78 thoughts on “Kristi Larson”

  1. Hi Kristi,
    I’m trying to sign up for the kitchen. I have a business card for Pam Sharp. She has two disconnected numbers and I left a message on the cell phone. I was pulled from the line (Costa Mesa) had helped in the kitchen last year and would love to help again in Santa Maria. Can you help me?
    Looking forward to seeing and helping again.
    Sheila Johanknecht

    Reply ↓

  2. Hi Sheila,

    If you’d like to help in Santa Maria, you can connect with the Santa Maria Times, as they are sponsoring the event. Eric Villegas will be the culinary specialist at that show, but if you are able to assist him, I’m sure you’ll have a great time.

    Thanks,
    Kristi

    Reply ↓

  3. Hi kristi I attended the cooking school in Nampa Idaho and was curious where you purchased those interesting salt and pepper shakers. I thought they were real neat and would like a set.

    Thanks NickCole Bortz

    Reply ↓

  4. Hi Kristi…thanks for the wonderful and great fun show you did in Billings last night. It was just the best … hope that you will come back…Gotta start cooking up some of those awesome dishes you made. Wish I would have won one of them….lol
    Your new cooking buddy
    Barbara
    Billings, MT

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Barbara,

      I’m so glad that you had a good time! Maybe you’ll win one of the dishes next time :) Let me know what you think of the recipes after you’ve had a chance to make some of them!!

      Kristi

      Reply ↓

  5. Hi Kristi,
    My name is Sherry and I attended your show in Billings,Mt on the 23rd of this month (September), anyway I had a blast and you are a great inspiration!! I was wondering if you would tell me where I could get the salt and pepper grinders and the other handy kitchen gadgets that you use. Thanks, once again. Hopefully I will be able to meet you in person one day.
    Sherry Watson

    Reply ↓

  6. Hi Kristi,
    I just attended the my first cooking school on Saturday, Oct 1, 2011 in Chico, CA, and had such a great time. There was so much excitement and so much information crammed into such a short time. Loved all of the demos and the time really did seem to just fly by. I just really enjoyed your class and am so excited to try so many of the recipes you not only demonstrated but out of the new cookbooks that were purchased that night. I wanted to thank you for inspiring me to get my pants back into the kitchen and start cooking up a storm. I cant wait to get the chance to go to Taste Of Home Cooking School again. Thanks for the great show!!!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Debbie,

      Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you learned a lot and are inspired to get back into the kitchen Please let me know what you think of the recipes! Hope to see you at another Taste of Home Cooking School!!

      Happy Cooking,
      Kristi

      Reply ↓

  7. Good morning Kristi,
    I was at your show last night and during the show you used a mandoline slicer to slice up an onion. I was hoping you could tell me were I could purchase one like the one you used or if you could tell me what the brand it is.
    Thank you
    Elizabeth

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Elizabeth! My mandoline slicer is made by Chef’n. The Dented Chef in Modesto told me they carry products made by Chef’n, so if they don’t have it in stock, they should be able to order it for you. I found the one I’m using at Target, and they are available on Amazon.com as well.

      Reply ↓

      • Hi Kristi,
        I attended your show the night of the 4th. in Modesto Calif. You said we can follow you on Face Book. I tried the search and could not find you.Hope this works.Lol!!!

  9. Pingback: Taste of Home Cooking School volunteers sought | Bakersfield Mom

  10. hey Kristi,
    My mom and i attend the show in ogden utah (sept 27th) every year. Just wanted to say thank you for making it a fun night, we always have a great time. Sorry it took so long to post this (i have a new baby life gets in the way)
    Kamie

    Reply ↓

  11. I attended your show at Thanksgiving Point in September. I love the cooking shows. I just saw today that another show is coming to Sandy, Utah in December. Do you know, is that the same show as early this fall or will it be different. Thanks, Krista

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  13. Kristi,

    I enjoyed your show last night in Sierra Vista on 11/8/2011. I do have a question about your white mixer. I want one like that would you please indicate the brand name?

    Thank you,
    Ms. Bo Mathes

    Reply ↓

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  16. Enjoyed your cooking school last night in Bakersfield. The indication burner made me think about adding it to my Christmas wish list. Can you email me the brand and model you are using? Ive been reading reviews and figured you would know which ones are most reliable. Thanks again for a great show. My friends and I go every year.

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks for coming to the show! The induction burner I use is Vollrath 59500P; it’s a professional version, so it’s pretty expensive. You might see if a local appliance store like Urner’s has any suggestions for you; I’ve seen some at other appliance stores as I’ve traveled around. Good luck!

      Reply ↓

  17. Kristi, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the cooking school that you did in Bakersfield last Tuesday. You did such a great job; I look forward to attending again next year. I was interested in some of the kitchen gadgets, especially the mini salt and pepper grinders. If you could let me know where I can get them, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Dee! I’m so glad you enjoyed the show, thank you for your kind words! My salt and pepper grinders are made by Chef’n, and are usually available at Target. I’ve also seen them on amazon.com.

      Happy Cooking!
      Kristi

      Reply ↓

    • Kristi, thank you for the information. We tried the marinated pork roast with the raspberry sauce…it was wonderful. Have a wonderful holiday. Hope to see you next year’s cooking classes

      Reply ↓

  18. Hi Kristi it’s Verity! I had a lot of fun helping out at the Bakersfield TOH show. I hope to do it again. You really had it running smooth. (I was going to post the pic we took but wasn’t sure where to do that or if you have your own separate page.)

    Reply ↓

  21. Hi Kristi, just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your show in Bakersfield, CA on Nov 15th. This was my second year attending the show with my aunt and little sister. Each year I have learned so many things. For example last year I learned the differences between the 3 and 4 bumps on bell peppers. From this years show I will be making the Chex pb and chocolate blast for Christmas so I am excited for that. Among a few other recipes I have found on the site. Can’t wait for next year’s show! Happy Holidays!!!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Karen! Thank you for your kind words, I’m so glad to hear that you enjoy our shows! I’m sure you’ll love the Chex PB & Chocolate Blast – it’s one of my favorite snacks!! I hope you have a great holiday season, and make lots of yummy food!!

      Happy Cooking!
      Kristi

      Reply ↓

  22. Hi Kristi, I was at your Salt Lake show Friday night (and thoroughly enjoyed myself, by the way). I remembered in the promotion to the show that it said a free year’s magazine subscription came with the class … and then you said during the presentation that there was a coupon in my gift bag for a free year’s subscription to one of two TofH magazines. Only when I got home and looked through my bag, there wasn’t anything like that. Can you help me? Thanks!

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Ann,

      Thanks for coming to the show, I’m glad you had a good time! I’m sorry you didn’t get the postcard for a free subscription. If you’d like to email me at kristi_larson@rd.com, I can take care of it for you. You can choose from Simple & Delicious or Taste of Home. Just let me know which one you’d like, along with your mailing adress, and I’ll send it in for you!

      Thanks,
      Kristi

      Reply ↓

  23. I bought the mandoline that you used for the demo at target and love it. Now I need the onion glasses. I forgot where you bought them? I had a great time assisting you along with the other ladies at Bakersfield. Have a Healthy and wonderful holiday season.
    See you next year.
    Sheila Johanknecht

    Reply ↓

  24. Hi Kristi. I attended your cooking school in Kalispell Thursday. I almost slipped in my husband’s puddle of drool when you made the peanut butter cheesecake! I was wondering if you can tell me what kind of food processor you were using. It seemed quieter than usual.
    Thanks.
    Jo

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Jo,
      Thanks for coming to the Cooking School! I use a Cuisinart Food Processor on stage. Let me know if you make the cheesecake, and what you think of it – I love it!! Happy Cooking!
      Kristi

      Reply ↓

  25. Hey Kristi,
    It’s almost that time again for the show, but I didn’t see a show scheduled for Idaho Falls. Are you coming here this year? I hope so, it’s alway fun to see you.
    Thanks,
    Denise Stears—–your favorite roommate :)

    Reply ↓

  26. Hi Kristi,
    Was wondering if you will be in Ca. for a spring show or somewhere close to my area. L.A.
    I also love the mandoline that I now use that you introduced us to in Bakersfield in Nov.

    Happy Cooking!
    Sheila Johanknecht
    Redondo Beach

    Reply ↓

  27. Kristi,
    Wonderful show last night in Pocatello, Idaho!! You had an amazing strawberry slicer during the dessert segment. Where did you purchase it? I also have the same problem of the slicers I use not being strong enough and breaking.
    Margaret

    Reply ↓

  28. Hi, Kristin,
    I was at the fall cooking school in Ogden with my mom and sister, and won the marinated pork roast with raspberry sauce. My husband and I both loved it – in fact, I made it for Easter dinner this year instead of ham. I told a coworker about the recipe, but she doesn’t use alcohol. What can be subsituted for the merlot?
    My mom and I are looking forward to seeing you again on April 24th for the spring show!

    Smiles,

    Kim

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Kim,

      I’m so glad you’re enjoying that recipe! To substitute for the Merlot in that recipe, I would suggest using about 3/4 cup red grape juice + 2-3 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.

      I hope you have a good time at the show in a couple of weeks, we have some delicious spring recipes!

      Kristi

      Reply ↓

      • Thanks, Kristi! My co-worker was delighted to get the recipe with the substitution information.

        Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks.

        Kim

  30. Kristi,

    Is there a spot on the TOH web site where all of the past cooking show recipes are posted? That way if I can’t locate my magazine I could still find the. Thanks.

    Pat

    Reply ↓

    • Unfortunately, there isn’t a location where all of the recipes can be located. If the recipe was originally from a Taste of Home magazine or cookbook, you should be able to search for it on our website. If the recipe was from one of our National Sponsors, we aren’t able to publish it on our site, but you might be able to find it on their website.

      Reply ↓

  31. My mom and just saw your show in Lewiston and we have a bet going on what the term omomy means. Can you tell us again.

    Thank You,
    Tricia

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  33. Just came home from the Nampa show, my daughter won the Chicken Kabaobs, verrrry good!!!! We Love it and cant wait until next Spring! Thanks Kristi

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  34. Nampa Show was wonderful As Always Your GREAT Love your always Back in nampa
    OK So how or where do I find the strawberry slicer
    I cant wait to make your strawberry shortcake and the Taco cassarole
    Was a Great Night Out

    Reply ↓

  35. Thanks so much for another great Taste of Home cooking show! My MIL and I had a great time, this was our second year and we’ve decided to make it a tradition. You do a wonderful job up there presenting and you seem to be having so much fun. Our show was at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound. Hope to see you again next year!

    Reply ↓

  36. Attended my first Cooking School at Grand Mound yesterday. Had a great time. Will try to make this an annual event. Very enjoyable. My neighbor & I had a blast. Where did you purchase your scoop/spatula tool?

    Reply ↓

  37. My daughter and I attended a cooking show for the first time at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound (Chehalis-Centralia) Wa. We really enjoyed it and plan to attend again so don’t stay away from this area too long!! :) My daughter (15yo) blames me for not winning any of the great prizes though because I was cheap and bought seats too far back. Next time she wants a couch!! HaHa!
    I love Taste of Home Cookbooks and have collected them for years. I just might make going to cooking shows a “mom & daughter day” more often and in different areas. Thank you for coming.

    Reply ↓

  38. Kristi,

    I am in the process of getting ready to stock the holiday inventory. I am contacting cooking schools (especially cooking schools for youth) to send some free inventory. Could you forward the cooking school address? Oh yeah… you can take a look at the website: http://www.cuffitts.com
    Thanks,
    Fe

    Reply ↓

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