By Marie Gilmore
With true Southern Style, hugely popular food blogger and Valrico resident Jackie Garvin kicked off the publishing of her new cookbook, Biscuits, with a backyard launch party including food tastings from her stunning 240 page book, cocktails and even a chef-inspired photo booth.
Garvin, who came into food blogging as a retirement after being a successful RN and entrepreneur, was proud to be approached by the publisher who was seeking a biscuit cookbook author. The mother of three knew she wanted her children to grow up with the Southern recipes and roots that she had as a child, and so in 2011, Garvin kicked off her blog, Syrup and Biscuits Southern food blog, chronicling her favorite family recipes and good stories.
“We are a family-friendly, story-tellin’, biscuit-soppin’ and hound dog-lovin’ bunch of people,” said Garvin who also credits the family Basset Hound among her many inspirations.
For her blog, Garvin has more than 90,000 views per month, 217,000 likes on Facebook and 9,000 followers on Pinterest.
Her cookbook, Biscuits, offers Sweet and Savory Southern Recipes for the All-American Kitchen and was published by Skyhorse Publishing and is now available on Amazon and in local bookstores for $19.99.
Garvin’s quest for the perfect biscuit recipe began after starting her blog, Syrup and Biscuits. “I had the good sense to know that if I publish a blog with biscuit in the name, I’d better figure out how to include a biscuit recipe. The thought caused me as much stress as an IRS audit,” she writes. And she’s not alone.
“It’s not enough that you know how to create great tasting food,” explained Garvin. “You have to able to write about it and communicate your passion verbally and through photos.”
“I write about a simple lifestyle created from humble beginnings,” added Garvin, “I’m clear about my values: Faith, family and patriotism.” Despite their immense popularity, biscuits are known to intimidate home cooks.
Also included in the cookbook is a short history of biscuits in America, plus equipment and cooking tips. Over the next few months, Garvin will be traveling on a book tour promoting her cookbook and sharing more Southern charm across the Southeast.
Garvin is the recipient of the Reader’s Choice Award by the Southern Food Network, second place in the International Biscuit Festival 2014, and a Blackberry Cobbler Blue Ribbon Winner.
For more information, contact Garvin at 390-5035 or email jackie@syrupandbiscuits.com.
