About Jamil Ghar

Tressa’s Story

I didn’t grow up knowing how to cook. The truth is, most of my meals came straight from a box. I guess that qualifies me as a self-taught chef, and if I can learn how to cook, so can you!

My passion for cooking began while working in small, locally-owned restaurants in high school and college. Rubbing shoulders with some of the best, I learned many fundamental skills to help me around the kitchen. As a recipe developer and food blogger, I share that knowledge through helpful kitchen tips and tasty recipes.

I have a deep appreciation for global cuisine and food stories. Part of this comes from growing up in the Southwest, where I learned from many of my Hopi and Navajo friends. Sharing meals and cooking with them exposed me to new recipes, like savory mutton stew and blue corn mush. Their teaching about food’s role in community and family relationships inspired my curiosity. 

Later, I became a pastor for international students for over a decade. I continued to learn about other cultures while cooking alongside my students to prepare meals that reminded them of home. Now, I cook with my mother-in-law (ami), who expertly prepares authentic Indian and Pakistani recipes while allowing me to put my unique spin on them.

I hope to honor my teachers by sharing what I’ve learned. I want to empower home cooks (and beginners) to prepare healthy, satisfying meals that draw from global cuisine. 

Want to hear more about my start as a food blogger? Check out my most recent podcast episode with Mealtime Magic and Mayhem.