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    Amanda Gajdosik

    Hi! I’m Amanda, the recipe developer, food photographer, and videographer behind Midwest Nice Blog. 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!

    Read more about the ethos of this website here.

    Before I started this website, I spent over a decade working in restaurants. 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!

    I am so deeply proud to be from the Midwest and grateful to be able to share the meaningful stories and rich histories of our region through its beloved cuisine!

    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.

    Education & Experience

    • Northwestern University: Medill School of Journalism, BSJ ‘14
    • Restaurant Front of House: 10+ years as a hostess, server, bar manager, shift lead
    • Restaurant Back of House: 4+ years as a dishwasher, baker, head pastry chef
    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.

    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 the head recipe 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.
    • 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.
    • Yes, that’s a butter tattoo! I have been working on a collection of tattoos dedicated to food since college and even have my grandmother’s lamb cake recipe on my arm.
    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.

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    Hey y'all, I'm Amanda! I believe in good food for good people. I hope you enjoy the homemade recipes you'll find on my site.

    More about me →

    Reader Favorites

    • Brandy Slush Recipe (Wisconsin Classic Cocktail!)
    • A foil packed filled with buttery grilled potatoes sits on a white backdrop.
      30 Minute Buttery Grilled Potatoes in Foil
    • A bowl of sausage and tortellini soup is garnished with shaved parmesan.
      Sausage and Tortellini Soup (with video!)
    • Brioche Burger Buns lined up on a parchment lined baking sheet
      Brioche Burger Buns Recipe

    Recent Posts

    • An overhead view of a slice of Wisconsin apple pie with cheddar cheese crust, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, on a white dessert plate with a fork resting beside it.
      Apple Pie in a Cheddar Cheese Crust (A Wisconsin Tradition!)
    • Four Ingredient Apple Cider Martini
    • Caramel Apple Jello Shots (In Apple Wedges!)
    • A cored apple slice filled with an apple cider jello shot rests on a small wooden board.
      Apple Cider Jello Shots (In Apple Wedges!)

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    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

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