Waverly  Tuna Pan Bagnat

It took all we had while writing up this cook in the spotlight to suppress the urge to get all punny with Waverly's username. Why? Because she is truly unwavering in her recipe writing -- solid as a rock, this cook wavers not. Okay, we'll stop, but all this is just to say that here is a cook you can trust. With numerous recipes entered in contests, many of which have claimed gold, silver and Wildcard status (not to mention her roster of Editors' Picks), Waverly's adept use of ingredients and close attention to nutrition and taste seem fitting given her legal background and now full-time role as mother.

Her winning dishes are Food52 household names: Morel Crostini and Pan Bagnat: Le French Tuna Sandwich. But then, there is Grilled Baby Fennel with Lemon and Pecorino (healthy!) and Raspberry Kirsch Gelato with Pistachios (whoa, there!), Quesadillas Blancas Con Salsa Verde and Carne Asada Con Rajas. Just as Waverly turns to Julia's The Way To Cook, turn to her for her unwavering mantra (as professed on her blog): "Life is better when you eat together."

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Read our profile Q&A with Waverly below, check out her blog Peace and Love in the Kitchen, and follow her on Twitter here.

  • What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
    octopus in ink - at a very fine restaurant in Mexico City. I was 7, and I've never forgotten it.

  • What do you cook when home alone?
    Scrambled eggs and a mixed green salad with vinaigrette

  • Your most treasured kitchen possession:
    I can't get through the day without my jura capresso espresso machine

  • Your ideal meal:
    Spiced and grilled lamb chops with risotto served with spinach salad with feta and vinaigrette

  • Something you'd like a chance to eat or cook:
    I would love to eat my way through Paris and Rome!

  • The number of bottles of wine you own:
    24-32

  • The ideal number of guests for a dinner party is:
    8

  • Kitchen pet peeve:
    Dirty kitchens get under my skin

  • Your favorite cookbook:
    The Way to Cook by Julia Child....if I have to choose just one.

In the spotlight last week? Ms. T!

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • BlueKaleRoad
    BlueKaleRoad
  • arielleclementine
    arielleclementine
  • Kitchen Butterfly
    Kitchen Butterfly
  • Fairmount_market
    Fairmount_market
  • gingerroot
    gingerroot
Waverly used to be a lawyer and is now a mother 24/7. She has made a commitment to cooking for her family and absolutely loves it even when her family does not. She is teaching them, one meal at a time, to enjoy wholesome homemade food. She abhors processed food but recognizes its insidious nature and accepts the fact that her children will occasionally get some Skittles, Doritos, or the like. Her philosophy and hope is that if she teaches them well at home, they will prefer wholesome healthy foods when they go out into the world without her.

26 Comments

BlueKaleRoad October 18, 2011
Congratulations, Waverly! A well-deserved spotlight. Your recipes are lovely and your blog is beautiful (I love your 3 Bowls)!
 
arielleclementine September 28, 2011
yahoo for Waverly! congrats on the spotlight!
 
Kitchen B. September 28, 2011
Unwavering in Waverly. I love your recipes....and you blog!
 
Waverly September 28, 2011
Thank you!
 
Fairmount_market September 28, 2011
Congratulations Waverly. And you have a lovely blog!
 
gingerroot September 27, 2011
Yay, Waverly! What a great spotlight, I really love your recipes.
 
Dixie-mom September 27, 2011
Waverly is the real deal--as authentic as they come. Great choice to highlight!
 
greasy C. September 27, 2011
Congrats Wave! We are all so proud of you!
 
SKK September 27, 2011
Wonderful spotlight! I enjoy your blog and the photos and love your grilled fennel recipe (among others!)
 
lapadia September 27, 2011
Congrats, it's your day to "shine", Waverly! Enjoy...
 
Waverly September 27, 2011
Wow! I am so flattered! Thank you everyone. I am lovin this place!
 
ashleychasesdinner September 27, 2011
Congratulations Waverly! Love the Q & A! It was great reading about you. Will go over and check out your blog as well! Great job!
 
Lizthechef September 27, 2011
Eager to check out your blog and follow you on twitter - you deserve a HUGE spotlight!
 
nannydeb September 27, 2011
Cool! Congratulations Waverly!
 
wssmom September 27, 2011
Hi Waverly!! Love your recipes, especially the grilled fennel!!
 
drbabs September 27, 2011
So nice to see you in the spotlight, Waverly. Congratulations!
 
aargersi September 27, 2011
YAY WAVERLY! Love seeing you in a very well deserved spolight! Hey - come visit us again, willya?
 
nannydeb September 27, 2011
Book release party Oct 29th @ 3pm!
 
Waverly September 27, 2011
I always up for a trip to Austin.
 
Waverly September 27, 2011
I am always up for a trip to Austin.
 
boulangere September 27, 2011
What a beautiful spotlight. That Pan Bagnat is the bomb,
 
Midge September 27, 2011
So nice to see you spotlighted, Waverly. Reminds me to make your delicious pan bagnat again!
 
EmilyC September 27, 2011
Congrats on the spotlight, Waverly! I love your recipes and your blog!
 
mrslarkin September 27, 2011
yay waverly! so nice to see you in the spotlight!