About
The Short Version
My name is Theresa Carle-Sanders and I am a professional chef, food writer and unabashed fan of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.
The Long Version
I cooked and baked alongside my mom and grandmas from the time I could stand on a stool and reach the counter. I made breakfast (eggs – scrambled, fried or coddled – bacon, toast and OJ) with my dad almost every Sunday until I finally moved out on my own.
My family ate out a lot. Dad had an appreciation for GOOD food that was unusual in the 70’s. My mom, brothers and I were happy to tag along to his newest find, sometimes fine dining, but more often a place like that hole-in-the-wall in Chinatown where we sat at a green picnic table, sucking the meat out of the best Black-Bean Crab Claws this side of Canton. Dad’s enthusiasm for food sparked a passion in me. To this day, I spend most of my free time in the kitchen.
Once we were home, the kitchen clean and the dishes put away, mom would put me to bed with a book. She read to me as an infant, and started me on a lifetime of adventure, both on and off the pages.
So, what does a genetically wired bookworm/foodie grow up to be? Why, an Operations Manager for FedEx in downtown Vancouver, of course!
My journey along that path is a long and mostly uninteresting one, but it ended in a small blaze of glory and a shouting match with an angry customer who didn’t like my definition of next-day delivery when the destination, Tokyo, is 17 hours ahead and a 10-hour flight away. I may have mentioned Superman flying rings around the world to reverse time, but the details are a little fuzzy 12 years on.
When I distill my disenchantment down to that one incident, it’s funny. But in truth, I was desperately unhappy. Something would have eventually forced me to make a change, but from the happy place where I am now, I occasionally throw a silent thank you to that guy for being the match that lit my tired, bitter tinder.
I went for a long walk after we cleaned up the mess of waybills scattered all over the floor (that was him — not me — I swear), and awoke from one of my typical apathetic musings to find myself looking out to the Pacific from the apex of the Burrard Street Bridge. Without really thinking, and before I even knew I’d made my decision, I pulled my cell phone from my pocket, dropped it over the railing into English Bay and watched it disappear without a splash.* Then I walked back to the office and phoned my boss to give 2 weeks notice.
I spent my first job-free morning in a bookstore. I wandered the shelves for a long time with no title, author or genre in mind, until intuition, silent from my hearing for so many years in corporate management, had me pick up a bold-looking red-and-black paperback with a gold clock on the front. I needed an escape, and time-travel seemed as good a way as any to get the heck out of Dodge.
Diving into Claire’s happenstance adventure gave me room to breathe. After years of pursuing someone else’s path, I used the space to rediscover myself, and by the time I had finished The Fiery Cross, DG’s last book at the time, I had begun, once again, to dream of my own adventures.
The following year, halfway through my 2nd Outlander reread (including ABOSAA by this point), My Englishman and I followed our hearts on a whim and settled on Pender Island – a small, tree-covered rock in the Straight of Georgia between Vancouver and Victoria – for a quieter, simpler, semi-rural life at a gentler speed.
Rebuilding can take time, even when the foundations are solid. It took me a two more years of decompression and self-reflection, a couple menial “island” jobs to keep us afloat, and a week-long silent retreat in Maine to realize that the only way forward was to return to my roots. So, with the winds of instinct filling my sails once again, I said goodbye to My Englishman for 6 months, moved back to Vancouver, and back in with my mom, to attend culinary school.
I may be a dreamer, but I’m under no delusions. Nearly forty-year-old cooking school graduates don’t have the stamina to work their way up the prep-cook ladder…especially when their career choices are as limited as they are here on Pender.
So, in between catering jobs and the selling the Island’s best Breakfast Buns at the Saturday Farmer’s Market, I started a blog called Island Vittles.
I was out for a walk in the woods one day when an idea for Food from Fiction popped into my head. By the time I was home, I had Rolls with Pigeon & Truffles from Voyager on the brain, and had dreamed up a short, five-question, food-related interview that I fired off to DG’s Canadian publicist within the hour.
Outlander Kitchen grew out of that first email, and Diana’s generous response the next day.
Which pretty much brings us up to date. There is talk of a possible cookbook, but nothing certain for now.
A big thank you to Diana Gabaldon for her permission to use excerpts from Outlander, and for allowing me to mine her pages for food inspiration. I also appreciate her trust in me to treat her epic story with the respect it deserves.
Thank you, as well, to all of you who come to sit around OK’s hearth every week. My life is so full of food, laughter, light, love and friends. For a girl who now makes most of her decisions (seemingly) on the fly, I’m closer to the target than I’ve ever been.
(Whew. Told you it was the long version.)
Now it’s time for you to meet the rest of the OK Family.
Howard moved to Canada from his birthplace in the UK eighteen years ago just to be with me, and that makes me feel pretty special. His resume includes zookeeper, safari guide and tour director — all before I even knew him! He is now a realtor here on Pender. Check out his website at Homes On Pender.
Despite being a Sassenach with a strong physical resemblance to (my) Frank Randall, My Englishman has a naturally discerning palate, which makes him OK’s chief taste tester. He washes a few bottles now and then too.
Can we go home now?
The third member of the team is Koda, or the Dooze, as he is mostly known around here.
He’s a 9 year old Shiba Inu that we adopted from the SPCA 3 year ago. He likes cheese, home-baked bread and walks on the beach.
He has yet to catch his own fish for dinner, but if you need your house patrolled for spiders and flies, the Dooze is your man.
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*(Don’t throw your cell phone in the water. It’s bad for the environment. Best not to buy one at all, if you ask me.)
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I’d love to hear your comments or questions…or how Outlander changed your life. Please comment below, or drop me a line at outlanderkitchen(at)shaw(dot)ca
Nice to ‘meet you’ here. I was very sorry to miss the meet up (and Stephen Bonnet’s Balls!) at SIWC last fall! I was there, but someone couldn’t find the party. ;-)
I’m so excited to have found this website, you have no idea! And I’m majorly impressed you have been working at it this long- I have a food blog myself and it’s a lot of work, so kudos!!
I first discovered Outlander around 1998, as a junior in high school, and it absolutely rocked my world. I’ve been obsessed and rereading every since. I’m dying over the recent news that it’s been optioned (again) for a tv show, though my feelings are torn, since I’m worried it’ll never be as good as it is in my head.
Your recipes and photos are gorgeous! I can’t wait to see where you go next. xx
So glad to have you in the Kitchen, Omeletta!
How wonderful to finally get to know the brains and magic behind all those wonderful Outlander recipes! How did Outlander change my life? Quite dramatically, if you ask me. In November of 2011 I was pregnant with twins (a boy and a girl). My doctor had just admitted me to the hospital with preterm labor, and it looked as if it was going to be a long stay. My good friend, Sandra, gave me the first three books of the series, knowing they would entertain me during the long, boring days in the hospital. Unfortunately, my stay wasn’t nearly long enough. On December 7, 2011, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy (Davison Rhys) and a beautiful baby girl (Emerson Jane). They lived for two hours. The books then became a means of escape for me when it became too much. I also found a great camaraderie with the character of Claire after she lost Faith. The way Diana wrote the scene when Claire tells Jamie about seeing Faith was exactly how I felt about my babies. Everyone finds their therapy somewhere; mine was with Jamie, Claire, and the rest of the Outlander motley crew :) I have now re-read the series three times as well as many of the Lord John Grey stories. My friend Sandra and I are planning our trip to Scotland later next year. I canna wait!!!!
Elizabeth, I’m so sorry. No words I can come up with will do justice to your loss, but I am thankful to you for sharing your story.
I think it’s wonderful that our favourite stories and characters are such a support.
You’ll love Scotland! We were there in Spring 2011, and are returning in 2013. I canna wait either!
I love your story of self discovery and that a book was the impetus for your change of direction.
Hi Theresa! I loved your “About – long version”! I’m Viviana, from Uruguay, environmental engineering professor and Outlander absolute fan (my short version). As a matter of fact, my first plane trip abroad was to Vancouver (in ’91, quite a long trip from down here) and I was enchanted by it, so you brought me back very nice memories from there!
I love cooking too, but I usually don’t have much time left for the traditional slow home-cooking I learned since I was a child from my mother and, specially, my Slovenian grandmother. My father’s from Northern Spain, so you can imagine our family cooking was quite a mix – or fusion as they call it now (g). Even I don’t practice my cooking much actually, I love reading about traditional cooking and recipes, and since I became an Outlander fan I have also been following your FB posts (not much time yet to explore more) and I definitely love your Outlander Kitchen!!! (I’ll be surely buying your book if you publish it).
I “discovered” Outlander exactly a year ago (in my last annual holidays), and since then have read all Diana’s books, I visit her webpage and FB as often as I can, as well as other Outlander related pages like yours. I am an avid reader since my childhood, and Diana’s books have become my upmost favourite reading (and re-reading, since I am totally hooked to her books). I can’t remember been so enchanted by an author! (I even own TWO books autographed by Herself!)
And I’m really happy that you’re recreating the fantastic cooking descriptions in her books. Even though Jamie and Claire are fiction, you are giving us fans the chance to have a real experience from their stories, and I truly thank you very much for that!!
Even though I have to keep working five more years till my retirement, I am already moving out of city life as much as I can (fortunately our small country makes it possible to be “in the country” just a few miles from town), and live surrounded by nature (quite a variety of wildlife included).
And this is where my life has changed quite a bit since becoming an Outlander fan, because I started using Internet much more than I used to, just to keep in touch with Diana’s DL and Outlander related news….. (thankfully, I can “connect” myself outdoors).
Having written quite a long version about myself – I’m in my annual vacation, remember – I thank you again for your all your enjoyable posts and hope you publish your Outlander Kitchen book! Regards, Viviana
Thank you for sharing your story! I love that you have become more “internet friendly” since reading the books!
Thank you Theresa! I’m going to try Laoghaire whisky sour today, as you recommended it for summer, though it’s not too hot today. Slainte!! (G)
Hello Theresa ! So nice to see you, Howard and the “Dooze” ! I love the way you dropped your cellphone… (not good for the environment for sure !) and gave your notice afterwards. You’d have felt so relieved and free ! I’ll be looking forward to the cookbook anytime it comes, that’d be great. It was nice to read about how you succeeded in doing what you really love ! How Outlander changed my life ? Well, I discovered “Cross Stitch” about 13 years ago when browsing at the British bookstore WSMITH’S in Paris and the hook was set ! I bought the rest of the series whenever a new book was released. Thanks to Diana and her amazing books, I have been connected (and furthermore when I found her FB page end of 2011 or so) with you all, Ladies Outlander Fans. How can anyone get so wrapped up in a fictional story ? I have learnt so much about 18th century, Scotland, the American Colonies as well as day-to-day life back then. I love finding small links between the books too. Since I am from a non-native English speaking country I always enjoy learning new words so my vocabulary’s being expanded. Diana’s books have enriched my life in various ways. So I wished you all the best Theresa for you and your loved ones in 2013 and keep up the good job ! Christiane from France.
We may all be obsessed, Christiane, but as you say, we are never alone. :)
After coming across the Outlander books and reading them all several times I decided to look more into my Fraser ancestors who made the arduous voyage from Scotland to Australia in 1859. I’ve found out they lived at a small village called Durnamach on Loch Broom and would have been Gaelic speakers. These tough, hardworking pioneers made this country and I am so proud of my Scottish heritage. My late husband was a Scot – all my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are either pipers, drummers or highland dancers and so carrying on a fantastic, beautiful tradition. I absolutely love Outlander Kitchen website – so full of interesting comments and beautiful pictures of Scotland. SLAINTE
How has Outlander changed my life? That is easy. Through Outlander I have meet the most wonderful group of woman who enrich my life on a daily basis. I am look forward to the new book coming out in the fall because I will share the experience with woman I am blessed to have in my life.
Your story is so inspiring! Can’t wait for the cookbook ;)
I’m fairly new as an Outlander fan (maybe 3-4 years) but I’m on my 4th re-read already. I’ve always loved the books, but lately they’ve really meant more than ever. Someone had posted on Facebook about how the books helped them survive losing their first baby – the same for me (I’m posting here instead of there because most friends of mine don’t know)… I just miscarried my first pregnancy 2 weeks ago, and it was devastating. But remembering Claire’s strength always helps me push through and have faith. Plus, I always try to live my life in a way that would hold up to Jamie and Claire (and Jenny and Ian too!). Whenever I’m particularly lazy, I think of them and how I would be deemed quite the slattern if I skipped my chores ;) Really, the whole series just inspires me to be stronger and happier!
It’s nice to know there’s a group of others out there who share my feelings on this :)
I’m sorry for your loss, Jen. So many of us have found solace and strength in the pages of Outlander, it’s much more than just a story.
I loved reading your long version and about how you got where you are.
Your angry customer story reminds me of one of my own. Employed at an alarm company in the early 80′ s I once called a man about the alarm going off at his business (this was at 3 am) he yelled at me and hung up. I promptly called him back and informed him I was only doing my job. The supervisor was quite lenient with me when called into the office following that incident, just admonished me to NEVER DO THAT AGAIN and sent me back to work.
Many years later, long after a divorce and years of single parenthood, the kids were mostly grown (21 & 19 and youngest still at home) I decided to move half way across the country and get a fresh start. Youngest child was given option to come with me or I would help him get settled at home. He chose to stay, so I delayed leaving a couple months til he was settled.
I packed what I thought I would need into my compact car and left on a 3 day drive across country alone, only knowing I had a place to sleep on my sister’s couch. 7 years later I am still growing and learning – I turn 50 this year and am happier than I have been in years.
I only discovered the Outlander series a year and a half ago. The first book was from a used book store (funny thing – I specified to the clerk I did not want books with explicit sex – referencing the Earth’s Children series. I can only guess she had not read the book when she suggested it.) Needless to say, I fell in love with the characters and story. At first I did not realize it was a series – tripped over that fact when doing an internet search for more info on the Scottish Risings.
I have since devoured these books, began following the author and a number of fan sites and pages on social media. For me, these books encompass so much of what interests me and I have enjoyed reading and learning from them and because of them. In a way, I feel like I was already on my path (hence the background info above) but reading about strong, intelligent women has only reinforced in my mind the journey I am on.
One of my other interests is genealogy, and especially with extras such as the Outlandish Companion (and a potential future edition) I have yet another common tie between the series and my life. To say these books have touched my life is such an understatement yet the best way to describe the impact.
It is so fun to see and share with others who love these books.
There is nothing more empowering than taking control of your future, Beth, I congratulate you! (And a little sex never hurts, right?)
A cookbook? How wonderful! Would be a great gift for all my recruited Outlander friends & family (they call me their pusher, among other things :). I vote yes and will order advanced copies if/when the time comes.
LOVE your site!
Vickie
There’s worse things to push than Outlander, Vickie…;)
Love the books, the food, and all your pictures of gorgeous men in kilts!!
Well who wouldn’t like those, Elaine?
From one coast to the other … Hi Theresa!
Congrats on getting your site updated. That’s an ongoing obsession for me! You’ve done a good job.
You asked how Outlander changed our lives, and I want to share my story. I started reading the Outlander series when my daughters were about 8 & 6 (they’re now 12 & 14) and haven’t stopped. I’ve read every book four times, then listened to the audio another three times. Every time I find something new, something to break my heart or make me want to scream … So after a whole bunch of that, I thought … why not try to write my own story?
I’d never written anything before then, but that night I told my hubby I was going to try and write a book. He said something like, “Okay. See you in a few hours.” Three hours and twenty-five pages later I rose from the depths of our basement office and presented my Culloden-based pages to him. He was quite impressed, so I carried on. To make a long story short, I kept on going, and at the age of 47 I was published by Penguin US. I’m one of only 7 Canadians with them, and the only Nova Scotian. And when my agent brought them novel #1, UNDER THE SAME SKY, they agreed to buy it on the basis that I would write a second novel, SOUND OF THE HEART. Book #3 in the series (title t.b.d.) will be out this coming November, and I’ve got a whole bunch of other books in the works. I’ve also opened up my own editing business and now edit novels for authors worldwide – I’ve edited over three dozen so far.
Not bad for a girl who never wrote anything before, whose degree’s in classical music … I figured at that age I’d pretty much sewn up whatever I was going to be. I had no idea I had a couple of other careers I had yet to claim!
And I thank Diana for every single minute of my new existence. :)
Not bad at all, Genevieve! Congratulations on your success! :D
Love it! Love it! Love it!!!!
Thanks, Myra!
Hi, Theresa. Both my husband and I love your blog. We have tried many of your recipes and loved all of them. We are planning a New Years event and will be preparing the Gougères. Do you allow the printing of your recipes? Is there an area on the specific recipe page that one can make a printer freindly copy?
Keep the recipes coming.
Thank You
Candy
Candy — yes, please feel free to print out any of the recipes. You’ll notice that the title of each recipe is a link that will take you to a printable version of the recipe. I’m so sorry that I didn’t see your comment until now!
Found your site through a link from Innatthecrossroads.com. I have been a fan of DG for decades. My copy of Outlander finally fell apart. I’ve lent it to friends and re-read it many times. Last year I bought the 20th anniversary hardcover edition. I’m working on the menu for a GoT New Year’s party with inspiration from Innatthecrossroads and now I’ve got your site to check out too.
Welcome to our kitchen, Dawna! Hopefully you can fit a few Outlandish treats on your party table…the more the merrier, right?
Just found your site! Can’t wait to try some of the recipes. I have been an ardent fan and am in the process of re-reading the series right now!
Greetings Theresa! As always, I love your blog. More recently, your posts have gotten me through the difficulty of my mom’s passing this summer. When I have been unable to focus on absolutely nothing else, I’ve read and reread your posts and browsed through the gorgeous pictures you post on here and am able to distract myself with your clever writing.
Although I am no longer on Facebook, I am subscribed to this blog and have asked my “chef hubby” Charles, to follow you on Facebook in the hopes that he will be inspired to recreate your scrumptious efforts from time to time. Thank you again for everything that you do and I’m still looking forward to that cookbook ; )
This is site is just a dream!!! I am a new fan of Ms. Gabaldon, yet I feel so happy to be sucked in by the lovely story she has written and I don’t intend to escape! haha~
As soon as I get a nice kitchen of my own I will try to cook some of what you’ve got here… I’m smiling from ear to ear. :)
Great to have you here, Sam-Sam! Make yourself at home and stay awhile. :)
Theresa,
I just found this site while searching for food inspired by Outlander. What a find! My dress club is doing a book exchange this month and we’re to bring food inspired by a book we love. I’ve been on the Outlander series for over a year now (3 little kids makes for slow going). So needles to say my choice was obvious. I love to cook so I have a feeling I will be getting to know you (as in your posts) quite well.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Natalie,
Canada
your site is a dream come true! Thank you :))
What a wonderful thing to say, Shelly! Thank YOU. :)
I’m so loving this website, I guess I’m not the only semi-obsessive fan!
I just sent you a picture of my success with the Salt Rising Bread blog you offered a couple weeks ago. I hope I have your email address correctly listed. I LOVED doing that recipe.
Happy Monday, Helen in Ark.
Thank you, Helen! I do have your pictures and will enjoy posting them on Facebook this afternoon. Congratulations of some fine looking loaves of no-yeast bread! Theresa
Thank you so much, Theresa. That information is helpful!
Susan
Hi, Theresa. Do you know if Diana Gabalon’s writing about food is fictional, or is it truly from the Scottish tradition? I am, of course, wondering about her reference to “rising salt-bread” and whether there really was a bread by this name in Scotland, and if so, was this what we now call salt rising bread. Perhaps I can try asking her via her blog. Thanks, Susan
Hello Susan! Diana’s characters actually travel to Colonial/Revolutionary America…and homestead on the fictional “Fraser’s Ridge” in North Carolina…hence the SRB reference. She is famous for her scrupulous research… :)
Lovely site! I adore the Outlander series – what a great tribute. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by, Christy! Hope to see you again soon…Theresa
Hi Theresa! We are getting quite a circle of friends here! TY!
Yes, Judi! The internet is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?
Love the idea, love this site, thank you!
And thanks to you too, Jenn! theresa
This is fantastic! I’m so glad you stopped by my blog today. I can’t wait to continue to read yours as I go through the series. It’s an absolutely genius idea to combine amazing books with amazing food. Kudos to you! :)
Thanks so much Jenn! Enjoy the Outlander journey…it’s a real ride!
Terrific idea! I’m certainly in favor of cooking food from works of fiction, and it looks like you’re off to a really terrific start. Keep ‘em coming! :)
Thanks Needs! Lovers of food from fiction are always welcome in my kitchen…
Theresa, on one posting or comment, you mentioned you lived on an island – is that in or off England or are you in the States? I’m just trying to figure out what part of the world you live in! :) Julia
Julia — My husband is English and I am Canadian. We met in the UK, but have lived in British Columbia, Canada since we were married 16 years ago. We moved from my birthplace, Vancouver, about 8 years ago to Pender Island (pop 2200) — in the Southern Gulf Islands between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. I write a lot about our island life on my other site: http://islandvittles.com/category/island-life/ — please check it out if you’re interested! Theresa
This is such a great idea! I believe I found Island Vittles through Diana Gabaldon’s site…so it all comes full circle. I look forward to the posts!
Hey, Lee Ann — great to see you here! Theresa
Well all I can say is,”what will they think of next?” what a great idea! Love your site.
Thanks so much Martha!
I love these books and I love food. :) This sounds like the perfect combo.
Great to have you in the kitchen, Shelley! Theresa