
Hi, I’m Emma Collins, the recipe developer and writer behind Sailing With Seasons. I’m so happy you’ve found your way here.
This blog is my celebration of seasonal ingredients, simple cooking, and the quiet joy that comes from preparing food with intention. Sailing With Seasons is where I share the recipes, lessons, and kitchen rituals that have shaped my life. It is a space built on curiosity, care, and a deep respect for real ingredients.
My Early Connection to Food
I grew up in Vermont in a small town surrounded by farms, orchards, and open fields. My childhood memories are filled with berry picking in late summer, helping my dad plant tomatoes in the backyard, and watching my mom transform simple ingredients into comforting meals.
Food was never about convenience in our home. It was about seasonality. We waited for asparagus in spring and apples in fall. I learned early on that ingredients have their own natural rhythm, and cooking feels better when you follow it.
As a teenager, I found myself drawn to the kitchen not just to eat, but to create. I started experimenting with farmers market produce, testing combinations, and writing notes in a small spiral notebook. I did not realize it then, but I was already becoming a recipe developer.
Education and Career Path
After high school, I moved to Boston to study communications and media. While my degree was not culinary focused, it sharpened my storytelling skills and taught me how to connect with an audience.
At the same time, I worked part time at a neighborhood café known for its seasonal menu and scratch baking. That job deepened my appreciation for professional kitchens. I learned how to prep efficiently, respect ingredients, and plate food with intention.
After graduating, I worked in digital marketing for a food startup. I helped create content, write newsletters, and develop recipes for online audiences. That role combined my two passions, food and writing. It was the first time I saw how powerful digital storytelling could be in the culinary world.
How Sailing With Seasons Began
Sailing With Seasons started as a weekend project.
I wanted a place to document my seasonal recipes and share what I was learning about local food systems. I bought a secondhand camera, cleared a corner of my apartment near a window for natural light, and began photographing the meals I cooked.
In the beginning, it was simple. A roasted carrot soup in October. A bright herb salad in May. A peach crisp made with fruit from a nearby orchard.
As readers began reaching out, I realized people were searching for more than recipes. They wanted guidance on choosing fresh produce, building balanced meals, and cooking with confidence.
That encouragement pushed me to take the blog seriously. I invested time in improving my food photography, refining my recipes, and writing deeper stories behind each dish. Sailing With Seasons became my full time focus and my creative home.
My Philosophy
Sailing With Seasons is the foundation of everything I cook.
I believe in:
• Cooking with seasonal ingredients
• Supporting local growers whenever possible
• Keeping recipes approachable and practical
• Letting natural flavors shine
• Encouraging mindful, unhurried cooking
You do not need complicated techniques to make incredible food. Often, the best meals are the simplest ones made with care and attention.
What You Can Expect Here
On Sailing With Seasons, you will find:
• Seasonal recipes organized by time of year
• Ingredient guides to help you shop confidently
• Tips for storing and preserving produce
• Balanced weeknight meals
• Reflections on food, community, and sustainability
Every recipe is tested in my home kitchen and written with clarity so you can recreate it without stress. I want you to feel supported, not overwhelmed.
Life Outside the Kitchen
When I am not cooking or writing, you will probably find me at the local farmers market with a woven basket on my arm, hiking forest trails, or experimenting with small batch jams and pickles.
I still keep a notebook of ideas on my counter, just like I did when I was a teenager. Some habits stay with you.
Thank You for Being Here
Sailing With Seasons is built on the belief that good food begins with good ingredients and thoughtful preparation.
Thank you for being part of this community. I hope this space inspires you to cook seasonally, eat intentionally, and find joy in the everyday rituals of your kitchen.
