• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Midwest Nice logo

  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Recipe Index
  • Ebooks
    • Venison Ebook
    • Coffee Ebook
  • About
  • Contact
  • Portfolio
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • Ebooks
    • Venison Ebook
    • Coffee Ebook
  • About
  • Contact
  • Portfolio
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home

    About

    Hi! I’m Amanda, the full-time recipe developer, food photographer, and videographer behind Midwest Nice Blog. This is a space for you to gain kitchen confidence with my catalog of approachable and enjoyable homemade recipes. I believe in making good food for good people. And I’ve got a feeling you’re pretty good people.

    Amanda Gajdosik, food photographer and recipe developer, stands next to a kitchen counter. She is wearing a white shirt and black pants and holding her DSLR camera.

    I’m a born and raised Wisconsinite who has been working in the kitchen since I was an itty-bitty thing. Most of my childhood photos show me in the kitchen with my grandma or holding a spoon full of something delicious. All I have ever wanted to do is make food for my friends and family and write about it. And now, with this blog, my dreams have come true!

    Before I started this blog, I spent over a decade working in restaurant kitchens. I have held every job you can think of – from dishwasher to head pastry chef and everything in between.

    This experience, combined with the wealth of knowledge bestowed upon me from my grandmother (who was the best cook I’ve ever encountered), have me poised to be your go-to-gal for real good, real food recipes. A journalism degree from Northwestern University means I’m perfectly positioned to communicate all the knowledge I’ve gained back to you, my wonderful readers!

    Food blogger and recipe developer, Amanda Gajdosik sits in a bed covered in white linens. She is wearing leopard print pajamas and is holding a cup of coffee while smiling.

    WHAT IS MIDWEST NICE?

    Midwest Nice isn’t just a feeling, it’s a state of being. It’s shoveling your neighbor’s driveway. It’s stopping to talk to your mom’s coworker’s wife in the grocery store. It’s making a double batch of strawberry jam so you have enough to hand out to friends. There is something intrinsically simple and supremely satisfying about being Midwest Nice that has always been a part of my life and my food.

    It is my hope that with every meal I create and every recipe I share that you feel inspired, delighted, and encouraged. And that you pass those feelings on to your loved ones in the form of a homemade treat. It’s the Midwest Nice thing to do. (I would suggest a batch of O’Henry bars!)

    Food photographer and videographer Amanda Gajdosik smiles as she sets up a cheeseboard on a kitchen table. She is wearing a leopard print dress and her hair is pulled back.

    What you can expect to see

    On Midwest Nice I like to share the real recipes I make for friends and family. Some are sweet, some are savory, all are delicious! I am a huge proponent of using real, fresh ingredients and whole foods. My meals are big on flavor and my thorough instructions will teach you the kitchen basics that I believe every home cook should know.

    You’ll also find a whole host of venison recipes! My husband is an avid hunter, and we are so fortunate to have our land provide us with quality meat to feed our family. I’ve learned a lot in our years together and know my way around fresh cuts of venison like a seasoned pro now!

    A few of my favorites include red wine venison stew, venison shepherd’s pie, venison meatballs, and venison meatloaf! I’m always adding more and using venison in creative and delicious ways so be sure to check back often for more kitchen inspiration!

    A white plate filled with two slices of venison meatloaf, buttery mashed potatoes, and fresh peas.

    Here are a few more of my favorite (and most popular) recipes!

    • Copycat Starbucks Cold Foam
    • Dry Rubbed Baked Chicken Wings
    • Sourdough Naan
    • Brandy Slush (A Wisconsin staple!)
    • Slow Cooker Coca Cola Pulled Pork
    A tall glass if filled with frozen Brandy Slush and is garnished with orange slices and a straw. There is fresh citrus around the glass on a cutting board.

    A LITTLE ABOUT ME:

    • I am married to the absolute best guy around. Seth is my light and my love and my biggest cheerleader. He’s also my main taste-tester and isn’t afraid to tell me what he really thinks.
    • The other man in my life has four legs and a tail. His name is Edgar and I’m a better woman for taking care of him.
    • I love winter more than most people. After living in the South for years, I made a promise to myself that upon my return to Wisconsin I wouldn’t complain about the cold. I have (mostly) stuck to that promise.
    • Yes, that's a butter tattoo. I am currently working on a sleeve of tattoos dedicated to baking. I even have one showcasing my grandma's recipe for her lamb cake.
    • I am unabashedly and enthusiastically a Fanson (that's a fan of Hanson for those out of the loop). They made more wonderful music besides MMMBop.
    • Pen and paper will always be my preferred choice of writing. I have a monthly planner and notepad I carry around with me wherever I go.
    Amanda Gajdosik, a food writer and photographer, holds a camera while smiling. She is wearing a green top and jeans and her hair is pulled back.

    Interested in working together?

    Midwest Nice is available for brand partnerships, sponsored posts, recipe development, and more! If you believe in what I do here and want to partner on a project, send me an email at amanda(at)midwestniceblog.com

    Let’s be social – follow me on these platforms:

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, Yall!

    Amanda, a food photographer and recipe developer, leans against a kitchen counter. She is smiling and holding a camera. She wears a white shirt and black jeans.
    Hi! I'm Amanda, and I believe in good food for good people. I hope you enjoy the homemade recipes you'll find on my site.
    • instagram
    • facebook
    • pinterest

    Choose a Category

    Looking For Something?

    Recently

    • Red, White, and Blue Layered Jello Shots
    • Aperol Spritz Jello Shots (in whole oranges!)
    • Spiced Coffee Soda (Made with Coffee Simple Syrup)
    • Air Fryer Venison Steak Bites with Garlicky Butter
    • Lemon Drop Jello Shots (Using Real Lemons!)
    • Ground Venison Taco Salad (Great for Leftovers!)
    • London Fog Latte with Lavender Syrup (Hot or Iced)
    • Ground Venison Tater Tot Hotdish (Midwestern Casserole)
    • Three Ingredient Mandarin Orange Jello Salad (No Cottage Cheese)
    • Sweet & Spicy Dirty Chai Espresso Martini

    Archived Posts

    Meet Amanda

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Wisconsin Classics

    • Brandy slush cocktail 
    • Beer battered fish fry
    • Wisconsin brandy old fashioned
    • Grasshopper cocktail
    • Beer brats and onions
    • Pink squirrel with ice cream
    • Raspberry jello pretzel salad

    Venison Dinners

    • Seared venison tenderloin 
    • Venison dry rub 
    • Juicy venison burger
    • Red wine venison roast
    • Venison meat sauce 
    • Smoked venison backstrap
    • Grilled venison tenderloin

    Coffee at Home

    • Pumpkin cream cold brew 
    • Vanilla iced coffee
    • Dirty chai latte 
    • Pistachio cream cold brew
    • Maple syrup latte
    • Vanilla sweet cream cold brew
    • Homemade chai concentrate

    About / Contact / Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2025 Midwest Nice