Believing that the kitchen is the heart of the home and the preparation of good food a sign of caring and nurturing, author Julie V. Watson has long had a passion for preserving and sharing a part of history that is often overlooked.  Believing that the stories of the home, of homemakers, wives, mothers and housekeepers can be as fascinating as tales of soldiers, wars and industrial development, she began writing about household traditions and favourite recipes, quickly moving on to an appreciation for local ingredients, particularly seafood. 

Her first book, Seafood Cookery, launched a career as a Canadian food writer which has garnered her accolades for her work, including the prestigious Canadian Food Culture Award presented by Cuisine Canada for her book Simple Pleasures from our Maritime Kitchens. Over two decades she has written, and had published, a dozen cookbooks as well as numerous magazine articles. 

The author credits the fact that she grew up in a household where good food was part of every gathering with fostering her desire to write about culinary history.   

We didn’t eat fancy, but we did eat well, she recalls. Putting something good on the table was considered a sign of love, a point of pride.  Whether it was a bowl of just-gathered strawberries, egg ‘n’ soldiers (strips of buttered bread to dip in a soft boiled egg) from my grandmother, auntie’s trifle, deep fried fish from my Mom, or my husband’s roast lamb, my awesome lobster salad; tasty food just makes us feel good.  When I started my writing career I realized that there are many, many things we need to get down on paper before they are lost.  Such was the case with Ardgowan: A Journal of House and Garden in Victorian Prince Edward Island. 

She has taken the spreading of the good word about Canadian seafood seriously in a number of books including The Cultured Mussel Cookbook, A Fine Catch and Seafood Menus for the Microwave. 

Food, cooking, cuisine, culinary adventure, dining, eating....no matter the words you use the preparation and consumption of food is not only vital to our health, it is also a focal point for celebrations.  It nurtures, shows our love and just plain makes us feel good.  

Says Watson, This is what I try to share in my cookbooks.  Not just the recipe, but the story behind it. The recipes are primarily simple, down-home style good food.