Lenora "Len" Fillmore

Lenora “Len” Fillmore of Georgetown, Texas, was kind enough to volunteer to cook on the radio for a Field & Feast segment focusing on foods home cooks serve at their Super Bowl parties.

Get to know her–you’ll be glad you did.

“Over the past 25 years, I have taken informal classes on cooking and foods in Texas, California, Arizona, Louisiana, and Washington D.C.  and have learned many of the flavors that complement one another.  I have taken this new skill (or maybe it’s a talent) into my own kitchen and treated my friends and family to a wide variety of foods they would not have tasted otherwise.  Some of these have been holiday staples (like cold poached salmon at Christmas) and others, like my split pea soup have converted those who said ‘I don’t like that’.

“Since I moved to Texas in 1998, I have worked many, many hours as a volunteer at the Central Market Cooking School and have had the great experience of assisting some of the best chefs in America.  I wrote a weekly recipe column for the Williamson County Sun from 2001-2004 and I have prepared large wedding receptions and other parties for friends and friends of friends.

“Most recently I have embraced local fresh proteins, vegetables, and fruits and am working toward buying only local, in-season. This will force me to develop freezing and canning skills.

“I love teaching (my bachelor’s degree is in English education) and I plan to pass on this love of food and cooking through the soon-to-be-open Monument Market in Georgetown where I will be working as a demonstrator and instructor.  The Market will feature only local fresh organic or sustainably-grown foods and other food-based products made locally (i.e., pastas, wine, beer, bread, condiments, etc.)  We will have a garden which will supply much of the produce and herbs for the Market and the Monument Cafe.”