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Frequently Asked Questions
How many siblings do you have?
I have seven siblings, three brothers ahead of me, three brothers below, and one little sister! I am smack in the middle of a pretty wild bunch. For most of my life, I was the only girl in my family until Little Sister Asher came along when I was 15.
Where do you live?
I live high up in the mountains of Colorado in Summit County. I live about 20 minutes away from four major ski resorts…but I oddly almost never go skiing (or snowboarding in my case) and instead stay warm and cozy in my kitchen.
What are your favorite recipes?
This is such a hard question for me to answer because every recipe that I put on the site I truly love. A few of the recipes that I’m always making over and over are my Homemade Naan and my Simple Chocolate Birthday Cake.
Favorite foods?
This is going to sound so odd, but it has got to be fresh fruits and veggies. If I could eat only one thing for the rest of my life it would be a bowl of roasted veggies and avocado…with a side of toast and a ball of burrata…obviously.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere, but my main source of inspiration is the seasons. My very favorite thing to do is to create recipes around the seasons. Using the produce that is in season is what I love most, and I love playing off the moods of each season. For example, in the summer things are light and bright, but in the fall, they turn a bit, and become a little heavier and cozier. My family is also a huge source of inspiration for me. I have a few siblings and cousins that love to travel, so they’re always providing me with new ideas for ethnic foods. I love to take recipes inspired from other countries and make them a bit more approachable for my readers. Another source of inspiration for me, is color and design. I can see a set of colors and create a recipe based off of that color palette. It sounds odd, but I have a love for design and can find recipe inspiration through that!
Favorite ingredients?
My favorite ingredients change with the seasons. I love to cook with seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables and then add pantry staples like grains, cheese, and spices. I use extra virgin olive oil daily and love to finish dishes with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. My favorite splurge ingredient is fancy cheese and or edible flowers.
What inspired you to start Half Baked Harvest?
After graduating from High School, with an Associate Degree as well, I was at a crossroads. I had a really hard time deciding what direction I should go. I’d been cooking for my family since I was 13 and had always had fun with recipe creation. I loved the reactions I would receive when my family tried one of my new dishes. It was my mom who encouraged me to start HBH, and once I started I never looked back. I just kept creating, photographing, writing and working on the site. Each day trying to make it better than the day before.
What advice would you give to a beginner blogger or someone who wants to start a blog?
My best advice would be to blog about what you are passionate about. Don’t start your blog because you want to make money off it. Start your blog because you feel like you have something unique to share with the world. If you truly have the passion and drive, and you are constantly looking for ways to make it better, your blog will eventually succeed and hopefully turn into a career.
Is blogging your full time job?
Yes, blogging is my full time job. People don’t realize how much work goes into a blog post behind the scenes, it truly takes a great team to run a successful blog.
How do you make money?
We make money in various ways. The ads you see on the site provide an income, as well as the sponsored content I do with brands like Land O’ Lakes and Crate and Barrel. I also have projects outside of the blog, like cookbooks and product lines.
Who developed your site?
Richard Buff at Expanding Designs
What do you love most about writing Half Baked Harvest?
What I love most is the potential to make someone else’s day better. Whether they make a recipe and love it, or read a daily post and feel inspired. There’s not a better feeling for me.
What kind of camera and lenses do you use?
I use a Canon 5D Mark IV. I currently have three lenses, the 50mm 1.2, 74-20mm, and 100 mm. I also use a camera stand for most of my photos and have multiple tripods for filming recipe videos.
What are some tips for better food photography?
Practice! Honestly, I’ve never taken a photography class, but with a lot of help from Google, tons of practice, and a brother who helped me, I was able to better my skills. Follow people who inspire you, but don’t be afraid to follow people outside of your niche for creative inspiration as well.
Where do you find your pottery?
I find my pottery all over the world. I‘m lucky enough to have family members that love to travel and they are always on the lookout for unique dishes and props for me. I also do a lot of Etsy shopping and love Anthropologie’s home collection.
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Please note that the only official and confirmed forms of communication for Tieghan Gerard are through inquiries@halfbakedharvest.com. If you have received an email from any @gmail.com addresses or any other email that does not match the above, please stop communication and direct all communication to this email. Thank you!
