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!

140 thoughts on “Kristi Larson”

Cydney Frontera on October 10, 2012 at 11:19 PM said:

Hi Kristi, Last week in Modesto I enjoyed the show. It was the first one I attended. Tonight was my first chance to review the materials in the goodie bag. So many of the recipes I can’t wait to try. Listen, you asked us to let you know if we knew of any “cool” salt and pepper grinders. A few days ago I noticed Wolfgang Pucks on HSN, they are gravity powered. Interesting! Look forward to your return, I’ll be there. Cydney

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- Kristi Larson on October 11, 2012 at 4:38 PM said:
  
  Hi Cydney! Thanks for coming to the show I just looked up the salt and pepper grinders, and those look very cool! I just might have to try those! See you next time!!
  
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Eileen Luthy on October 12, 2012 at 4:53 PM said:

HI Kristi ! I attended the Idaho Falls show and had a great time. I would love to know where you got the garlic rocker. Also, you mentioned that we should call the radio station about The Best Of Taste Of Home Cookbook because they ran out at the show. Is it a different price than on the website? I was really hoping to win it or the Christmas Cookbook. I even put off buying the Christmas one because I had high hopes..- darn. I had a great time anyway. Can’t wait for next time!! Eileen

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- Kristi Larson on October 12, 2012 at 7:16 PM said:
  
  Hi Eileen! Thanks for stopping by our blog! I’m glad you had a good time at the show I found the garlic rocker here: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Rocker-Garlic-Crusher-Stainless/dp/B003Y3AZSM
  
  I’m not sure what price the radio station will be selling the cookbooks for, but you can always ask if they’ll give you a better deal than what you can find online! I love both the Christmas book and our new Best Loved Recipes book; so many great ideas! Hopefully you’ll win something next time
  
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Pat Knight on October 24, 2012 at 2:27 PM said:

saw Kristi last night at the Auburn California show we <3 her it was way past my PJ time but loved the show…

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- Kristi Larson on October 24, 2012 at 6:03 PM said:
  
  Thanks Pat! Let me know if you try any of the recipes!!
  
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Susan A. Bezenek on October 26, 2012 at 11:00 AM said:

Kristi,
I was at the Chico Taste of Home Cooking School on October 25, 2012, was very impressed with the show, and however the only thing that was a disappointment was your VIP Meet and Greet. The appetizers were by far not up to the expectations I thought they were going to be. There were only three of them, one had way too much spice in them (meatballs), and the other two were ok. For the price of the VIP ticket the paper bag with the items in it should have been a cloth one with The Taste of Home on it. These are just some of my thoughts. Over all it was a great time, see you next year.

Susan

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- Kristi Larson on October 26, 2012 at 10:52 PM said:
  
  Hi Susan!
  
  Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, I appreciate it! I’m glad you enjoyed the show, but I’m sorry you were disappointed with the meet and greet session. The local radio station sponsor was responsible for organizing and setting things up for the meet and greet and VIP ticket holders, so I’ll be sure to pass your comments on to them so that they can hopefully improve it in the future. Thanks for coming to the show, and I hope to see you next time!
  
  Kristi
  
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Christine Maness on October 26, 2012 at 1:18 PM said:

We enjoyed the Chico CA show on 10-25. Can’t wait to try the pineapple chicken. Had funa nd can’t wait until next year.

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- Kristi Larson on October 26, 2012 at 10:53 PM said:
  
  Thanks Christine! Let me know how the salad turns out for you!!
  
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Cindy Vierra on October 26, 2012 at 8:20 PM said:

Hi Kristi saw you last night 10/25/2012 Chico show. Took my daughter and niece for first time. Fun night thank you.. Did you say you can follow you on facebook.

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- Kristi Larson on October 26, 2012 at 10:54 PM said:
  
  Hi Cindy, thanks for stopping by! You can find me on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/kristi.tasteofhome.
  
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Tierney on October 30, 2012 at 4:46 PM said:

Hi Kristi~
My mom, sister and I saw your show in Auburn, CA last week and we saw you a couple of years ago in San Jose, CA. The recipes last weeks all looks delish and we have already made the pulled pork tostadas (we turned them into tacos) with the coleslaw and chipotle sour cream! They were so tasty and had a great bite to them. Thanks for sharing so many great recipes, can’t wait to try more! Oh and how did you become a Taste of Home Cooking school chef? Thanks!
Cook on!
Tierney

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- Kristi Larson on October 31, 2012 at 12:18 AM said:
  
  Hi Tierney! Thanks for stopping by our blog I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed the tostada recipe, it’s one of my favorites!
  
  I started with Taste of Home shortly after graduating from college. I have degrees in Culinary Arts and Family & Consumer Science Education, and when I finished school, I really only wanted to work for Taste of Home. So, I applied, and lucky for me, they hired me! I’ve been here almost 7 years, and I love being able to share great Taste of Home recipes with fans all across the country.
  
  Happy Cooking!
  Kristi
  
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babzee on October 31, 2012 at 1:49 AM said:

I really enjoyed your show tonight at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City OR. You do a terrific job entertaining the audience while preparing the recipes. I’m looking forward to making the Stuffed Mushrooms and the Mini Quiches soon. Thanks for coming to our little town!

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- Kristi Larson on October 31, 2012 at 6:19 PM said:
  
  Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the show. Let me know how you like the recipes!
  
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Jamie J. on November 2, 2012 at 7:52 PM said:

Thank you for such a fun show in Aberdeen, WA last night. It was my first show and already can’t wait for the next. You made learning so much and provided so many wonderful side tips. Thanks again!

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- Jamie Musgrove Jones on November 2, 2012 at 7:54 PM said:
  
  Oops… made learning so much FUN
  
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  - Kristi Larson on November 3, 2012 at 12:13 PM said:
    
    Thanks Jamie! I appreciate you stopping by to let me know you had a great time. See you next year!
Judi Rackley on November 6, 2012 at 3:19 PM said:

ask Kristie who makes the nice grater she had at the Modesto show I need it for my Kitchen store
The Dented chef (sponsor for the last 12 years) Judi

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- Kristi Larson on November 6, 2012 at 3:56 PM said:
  
  Hi Judi,
  
  Are you referring to the Saladmaster Machine? (http://saladmaster.com/index/Products/CompleteCookingSystem/SaladmasterMachine.nws) This is what I used to slice the vegetables and grate the cheese during the show. It’s only available if you host a dinner party, and isn’t something you can order to sell at your store, unfortunately. Feel free to contact Saladmaster if you have any questions.
  
  Kristi
  
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Marion Hedges on November 10, 2012 at 11:05 AM said:

Hi Kristi, I really enjoyed your show in Reno,NV, onNov 8,2012. I got 5 of my girlfriends to come with me this year and we all had fun. i was wondering where to buy the garlic rocker you used in the show? Thanks Marion

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- Kristi Larson on November 10, 2012 at 12:14 PM said:
  
  Thanks Marion, I’m glad you all had fun! I purchased the garlic rocker here: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Rocker-Garlic-Crusher-Stainless/dp/B003Y3AZSM
  
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Teresa Lovejoy on November 19, 2012 at 11:57 PM said:

Kristi, I was at your demonstration last year in Wilsonville, Oregon and loved the show. I have made a couple of the recipes from it. I got many good comments from my co- workers when I brought them a whoopie cookie you demonstrated. I’m not able to find the magazine with the recipe and was wondering if you could help me out. It was a whoopie cookie using canned pumpkin in it and the filling contained cream cheese and ginger as I remember it. Help?

Thanks,
Teresa

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- Kristi Larson on November 20, 2012 at 12:20 AM said:
  
  Hi Teresa! The recipe is from King Arthur Flour, and you can find it here: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/pumpkin-whoopie-pies-recipe
  
  Happy Cooking!!
  Kristi
  
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Cindy Moore on March 7, 2013 at 10:47 AM said:

Kristi, You will be presenting in Pocatello, ID on April 27th. My culinary class would love to get involved with the mise en place process and also visit the show. Is this a possibility as well as meeting you in person to hear about this fun career? Please let me know.
Cindy Moore
Pocatello High School
FACS Educator

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- Kristi Larson on March 7, 2013 at 1:47 PM said:
  
  Hi Cindy,
  I’ve asked the local show coordinator (Jodi) to get in touch with you about this.
  
  Thanks!
  Kristi
  
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Cassandra Madden on March 8, 2013 at 2:05 AM said:

Am I missing something? oh yeah, the Taste of Home Cooking Show in Nampa, Idaho!!
What happened??? My daughter and I love to go together and learn new things!
So, sad to see it’s not on the schedule.
Sad in Idaho

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- Kristi Larson on March 8, 2013 at 10:22 AM said:
  
  Hi Cassandra,
  
  I’m sad, too! The Idaho Press-Tribune decided to take a year off in 2013, but we’re hopeful that Taste of Home will be back in Nampa next year. Feel free to let the folks at the newspaper know that you want us back!
  
  Kristi
  
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Victoria Johnson Lobato on April 9, 2013 at 10:49 PM said:

Hey Kristi, just left the Taste of Home cooking school in Fort Collins, CO. First I want to say that you did a great job!! There were so many great recipes. Second, I was wondering where I could find those shears that you used to cut the parsley. They looked like they had three different blades on them if that helps narrow it down. Thanks again for an awesome presentation!!

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- Kristi Larson on April 26, 2013 at 12:46 PM said:
  
  Hi Victoria,
  
  Sorry for the delay in responding to you, I just saw your comment! Thank you for coming to the show, I’m glad you had a good time! Here’s a link to the herb shears I used: http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Triple-Blade-Herb-Scissors/dp/B0019UQJO6
  
  There are a few companies that make them, and some have even more blades, but these have worked well for me.
  
  Happy Cooking!
  Kristi
  
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Bonnie on May 4, 2013 at 1:43 AM said:

Bonnie Mitchell

Loved the show in Bremerton tonight, Kristi. Need to know where you purchased the gyoza press and there was another item you would tell us where you purchased it , please.

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- Kristi Larson on May 4, 2013 at 4:15 PM said:
  
  Thanks Bonnie! Here’s a link to the gyoza press: http://www.amazon.com/Helens-Asian-Kitchen-Dumpling-Press/dp/B000PLUIIS/
  
  The garlic rocker can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Rocker-Garlic-Crusher-Stainless/dp/B003Y3AZSM
  
  Reply ↓
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Brenda daily on June 1, 2013 at 9:23 PM said:

I am at your show in Sandpoint. Where do I eat the article rocker?

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- Kristi Larson on June 2, 2013 at 1:22 AM said:
  
  Hi Brenda! I purchased it here: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Rocker-Garlic-Crusher-Stainless/dp/B003Y3AZSM. You can also sometimes find it at Macy’s or Dillards. Thanks for coming to the show!
  
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