Name: Cassie Hendry
Blog name: Crumb Kitchen
Where were you born? Brampton, ON (though Georgetown, ON is my true hometown)
Where are you living now? Ottawa, ON
Why did you start your blog?
After finishing university and getting that typical early 20-something itch to try something new, I decided to combine my interests in writing, baking and photography to create a food blog. The brainstorming was done at my best friend’s cottage near Penetanguishene, ON because as everyone knows, there’s nothing like beautiful beaches and warm, summer water to get the creative juices flowing. That was in August 2015 and here we are now.
How did you decide on your blog name?
Oh boy. The name Crumb Kitchen came to be simply because I liked how it sounded. It’s not exactly a blog name that you’d be able to use as an indicator about what the blog is about, but that’s also why I like it. Right now I focus on desserts but if I decide to branch out in the future, the name won’t be pigeonholing.
What do you blog about?
Desserts! Seriously. I must buy two or more pounds of butter per week, which is ridiculous for both my health and my wallet. I’ve always loved to cook and bake, but baking is by far my preferred method of food preparation. While brainstorming for Crumb Kitchen, I knew I needed to go slightly more niche than simply ‘recipes I made,’ so I went down the dessert route, adding in budget breakdowns that keep each recipe under $10. In general, the recipes are simple and have easily accessible ingredients you can find at any grocery store, large or small.
What post on your blog most encapsulates you and why?
My Dark Chocolate Blackberry S’mores recipe. On a daily basis, I’m a simple gal who doesn’t want to spend hours slaving over a recipe. I’ll go the extra mile for a friend’s dinner party or work event, but in general I like the simplicity of throwing together something easy, like homemade s’mores. This post also reminds me of the many good memories camping with friends and loved ones in Southern Ontario.
Which post do you wish received more love and why?
These Nutella Meringues for sure. That post was when I was starting to get the hang of food photography and really liked how the photos turned out. Plus these meringues are SO. GOOD. Really. And they’re pretty to boot.
Which post’s success surprised you and why?
My Salted Caramel Cups get so much love on Pinterest, despite the lackluster photos. My best guess is that the recipe has that so-called ‘Ridiculous Pinterest Cravings’ appeal of salted caramel stuffed inside mini chocolate cups. Go figure.
What’s your biggest challenge as a blogger?
Finding the time! Currently, I work a separate full-time job with quite a few overtime hours in addition to a part-time writing contract I have with a local university. Adding in a blog (which is a full-time job itself, don’t be fooled) can be challenging. I’ve had whole weekends where I’ve gone AWOL writing content and photographing recipes in my apartment.
Share a couple of your favourite food blogs to read. Why do you like them?
Deb Perelman’s Smitten Kitchen is always a goodie (and bonus, she is headlining this year’s FBC Conference!). Her writing is hilariously dry, and her recipes are always tested so well. I’ve never had a single issue with a recipe from her site.
Fellow FBCer Justine Celina encapsulates my food blog/life goals. Her content is always the highest quality and beautifully photographed. The girl knows where it’s at!
Favourite food - care to share a recipe or a restaurant destination?
In Ottawa, I’m obsessed with Suzy Q Doughnuts. They’re the best doughnuts I’ve ever tasted, and I make it a point to eat my way around every city I visit so I know they’re truly outstanding. Ask anyone in Ottawa and they’ll tell you the same. In fact, my Baked Thai Buttermilk Doughnuts were based off a doughnut they feature there.
What are you working on next for your blog? I’ve just started working on some collaborations with my fellow FBCers, which is such a rewarding experience. I avoid traditional, awkward networking like the plague, but this style is fantastic for increasing the visibility of your blog while making real connections with people.
Other than that, I’m working on some non-recipe posts about food blogging resources. I’m looking forward to one about mental health and blogging. As someone who lives with anxiety and other illnesses, blogging can be both a soothing balm and an aggravator at different times. Stay tuned for those posts.
What else should we know about you that may or not be in your “About Me” page?
I’m a cycling fiend! My bike is my baby. From all that cycling I’ve gotten to know most of the interesting nooks and crannies of where I’m currently living, so I can show friends and visitors some neat places in the Capital.
What makes your blog unique? I hope my voice. I have zero filter from what I’m thinking and what goes in my posts. That, and my budget-friendly dessert recipes. You can never have enough dessert.
What part of the FBC site do you find most useful? FBC’s 31 Day Blog Challenge series saved my life when I was a baby blogger (not too long ago!). The posts cover everything from pitching to plug-ins to Google Analytics. They really cover a lot of ground and should be required reading for beginner bloggers.
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Thank you so much for featuring me, Melissa and Ethan! 🙂 It was such an honour.
Cassie!!! Congrats on being featured this week and thanks so much for the mention. It was such a pleasant surprise to stumble across it this morning — and I wish you all the continued success in the world! So happy we were able to connect through FBC and work on our first collab together. Xo!
Thank you so much Justine! I always like to give shout-outs to fellow working women. Plus, how would I not with your blog being so gorgeous?! Cheers! <3
Cassie, what a great article. It was so nice to read more about you.
I feel like this article is very well timed for me as I’ve connected with you through social media but this is the icing on the cake ha,ha that gives me more insight in to you.
Congrats on all your hard work during your first year of blogging.
I look forward to seeing all your ooey-gooey dessert pictures in my feeds.
Cheers, Kellie from Princess & The Yard Ape
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, Kellie. 🙂 These Friday posts are always so interesting, I feel that all of us food bloggers seem to come from such interesting backgrounds!
It was so nice to connect with you over social media too. Your blog is gorgeous!