A Life In Food To Inspire The Home Chef
Published by
ArtVoices ArtBooks Publishing
An independent publishing company based out of New Orleans, Louisiana.
© 2025 ArtVoices ArtBooks Publishing. All Rights Reserved; no portion of this work may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.
CALIFORNIA
CLASSICAL FRENCH
Nanette Smalley’s culinary story is a tapestry woven with passion, resilience, and an unshakable love for the art of cooking. Growing up on the California coast, surrounded by the bounty of her family’s organic garden and the vibrant flavors of the sea, Nanette’s earliest inspirations were rooted in the land. These influences sparked a lifelong journey, blending the freshness of her coastal home with the disciplined elegance of classical French cuisine, a style she lovingly calls California Classical French.
Her career has taken her from the intimate kitchens of Santa Fe, where she opened her first restaurant, La Querencia, to the fast-paced culinary scene of Manhattan, where she became a private chef for prominent families and ran a boutique catering business.
Along the way, she honed her craft at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, mastering techniques that would elevate her creativity and culinary vision.
Returning to her roots on California’s Central Coast, Nanette embraced the rhythms of organic gardening, the artistry of fine wine, and the inspiration of her early years. It was here that she began writing Favorite, a cookbook that captures a lifetime of flavors, stories, and the joy of sharing meals.
Through this book, I hope to share my journey and inspire yours. Favorite is a reflection of my belief that food has the power to connect us, nourish us, and bring us joy. I encourage you to experiment in the kitchen, to embrace fresh, healthful ingredients, and to create meals that turn into memories.
Every masterful chef began exactly where you are now—with passion, curiosity, and the right guidance.
ThE CHEF WITHIN
Favorite emerged from conversations with home cooks about their journeys in the kitchen. Those who felt stuck in the limbo between basic cooking and more involved culinary artistry—holding true to an aspirational goal while in a transition place in their growth in the kitchen. Favorite distills decades of professional wisdom into techniques accessible to the dedicated home cook.
This cookbook is filled with personal recipes and stories—each transforming how you think about the food you cook.
Each chapter builds confidence, creativity, and your own distinctive cooking style. I can't wait for you to first open Favorite, and later confidently improvise a dinner party menu based on what you've learned and found fresh at the local outdoor market.
That transformation awaits in these pages. Favorite isn't about perfection—it's about learning, curiosity and finding your unique culinary voice. Every meal will tell your story, and begin building your legacy.
