Meet BARBARA STAFFORD | Cookbook Author and Dental Hygienist

We had the good fortune of connecting with BARBARA STAFFORD and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi BARBARA, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’m not sure I can take credit for this but would rather give it to my husband. We would entertain and my friends would often ask me for my recipes or even the entire menu! In old school days, I’d run to the copy shop and scan my recipes to hand them. After watching me make life easier for my friends and their future dinner parties, my husband suggested I write cookbooks so as to reach and help more people. That is how the business came to be.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a Dental Hygienist by day and a foodie constantly! My cookbooks are designed for regular people who enjoy food and who enjoy sharing it with friends and family. Food is a wonderful way to bring people together! Both books have earned awards.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ha, this is easy! There is so much to do and see in Denver. My go-tos for visitors are:
Red Rocks for a concert or at least a hike, Garden of the Gods, the giant blue bear at the Convention Center, happy hour at Peaks Lounge downtown for the views of the mountains and city. If it is fall, we’d go leaf peeping in the mountains. If it is winter, we’d ski. If it is summer, we’d go boating and paddleboarding at Chatfield State Park. We often grill lunch while skiing Vail at Belle’s Camp on the communal grills. When boating, we grill out at anchor and often stay for sunsets. All activities are always related to food! In December, we love to go to the Lights at the Denver Botanic Gardens followed by a nice dinner at Shells and Sauce, just minutes away.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Scott Mitchell – he does my marketing/social media

Website: https://www.eclectic-entertaining.com

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Image Credits
No image credit but just a fun explanation of my life – leaf-peeping, helping break the World Record for the number of witches on paddleboards…this was in mid October at Chatfield…350 were there and we broke the record! Early October was one of my favorite races – the Hot Chocolate 5k! It was race #57 for me! The dressy one was from my son’s wedding in Brazil on the beach – beautiful! Bottom line – when I am not cleaning teeth or cooking, I’m out and about enjoying life!