Photo courtesy Nancy Johnson.

“Look Who’s Cooking” aims to spotlight successful home chefs in our area. Today, we meet Helen Thomas.

Name: Helen B. Thomas

Age: 92

Home: Bedford

Occupation: Retired nurse

Nominated by: Daughter Nancy Johnson, who wrote, “she is pretty much known as the ‘cake lady’ at potlucks. She prepares baked apples and mashed potatoes that defy comparison. My personal favorite is her potato salad with boiled dressing. She is a true Southern, comfort food cook and everything is smothered in love.”

Why I love cooking: For my generation it was often the only gift that could be shared. I lived in a rural area with my parents and five brothers. Of course, as the only girl, helping Mom cook and garden naturally fell to me. We raised all of our own vegetables and meat, and canned and preserved for the winter. Of course, Daddy’s hunting and fishing helped augment the menu.

Many neighboring families in those times may have been poor according to today’s economy, but there was always food aplenty and fellowship around the table. My eldest daughter to this day insists that a kitchen/dining room must have a bench because as a child she remembered that there was always room for one more on a bench.

Today, I enjoy sharing my cakes with family, friends, the oil man, repairmen, shut-ins and visitors who just happen to drop by. It is my way of sharing my love and appreciation for the good life with which I have been blessed.

To continue reading about Helen Thomas, please click here.

Check out her recipe for Pineapple Pound Cake here.