A Few Minutes with Lucinda Scala Quinn…
Get to know OpenSky’s curators a little better by spending A Few Minutes with me on the OpenSky blog every now and again. As OpenSky’s head of communications I have the opportunity to sit down and chat with each of these fascinating people and I’m letting you in on the conversation.
A Few Minutes with Lucinda Scala Quinn
Lucinda Scala Quinn is the Executive Director of Food and Entertaining at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, host of the food radio show EatDrink and host of the new show Mad Hungry on Hallmark Channel- weekdays at 12/11c. She is currently a curator on OpenSky, with her first special offer launching this week.
Lucinda in the kitchen with her 3 sons.
Emily: Lucinda, we love your show Mad Hungry and your mission to bring back the family meal. How does cooking for a house full of guys at home influence your ideas for the show?
Lucinda: My show is pretty much a direct reflection of my life. I work all day, come home, juggle soccer practice, parent-teacher meetings, walking the dog and the day to day of being a mom, but cooking good for you, feel-good food was always (and is) a priority, so that’s where the strategy comes in. One-pot meals, freezer to oven dinners, make ahead sides- these are all things that I’m able to do to so the quality of my family’s meals don’t suffer.
As for living with my guys, you’ve got to be quick with the food! They’re starving before they even know they’re hungry; I arm my pantry and fridge with ingredients so that I can whip up a snack or throw together a meal when I’m in a pinch. Oh, and bacon & hot sauce are non-negotiable must-haves in our house.
Emily: You’ve talked about your dad’s big Italian family and your mother’s simple fresh food being key influences for you in the kitchen, what made you want to pursue food as a career?
Lucinda: I’ve been in food since I was 16- it was always something I loved and surrounded with. It always made me feel good and connected to family and community. Food is interdisciplinary with many careers wrapped in one, education, art, science, math, sociology, communication, environmentalism, theater, design, journalism… the possibilities are endless.
Emily: It seems as though family is at the heart of everything you do. You are one of 5 OpenSky curators partnering with Operation Homefront this month in honor of Memorial Day to help the families of our troops. What will you do with your family to commemorate the holiday?
Lucinda: I’m so excited to be participating in the Memorial Day offer with Operation Homefront and be able to give back to our awesome troops. As for my holiday celebrations, I’ll be soccer mom-ing it most of the weekend with my youngest son. It’s not Memorial Day without a barbecue though, so I know we’ll be doing some grilling at home! And, as always on Memorial Day, my thoughts are with our troops; their dedication, sacrifice and bravery on behalf of us all.
Emily: In addition to Mad Hungry you were a co-host on EveryDay Food on PBS and you’ve appeared often on CBS’ Early Show, NBC’s Today Show and The Martha Stewart Show, that’s a lot of cooking on camera! What’s the hardest thing to do while the cameras are rolling?
Lucinda: The easiest thing is the hardest—being your natural self in an unnatural environment. Besides that, I’d have to say the timing! Early morning show segments that are live go so quickly- two minutes feels like two seconds. With MAD Hungry we do everything live-to-tape, which means no do-overs. Let’s just say I’ve gotten really good at staying on track.
Emily: What do you think most of your fans would be truly surprised to know about you?
Lucinda: I love all movies but—to unwind—I love stupid, funny “bro” movies. I can’t sing but wish I could. Swimming in the ocean is my favorite thing to do outside of the kitchen.
Emily: You became a curator on OpenSky very recently. Your very first offer is a part of the Memorial Day partnership with Operation Homefront. What are you most looking forward to about getting started?
Lucinda: I’m excited to finally be able to share with my fans the things they’ve been asking about (and more). I can’t tell you how many emails I get about my tops, the spurtle, or the pans I use! OpenSky is a great opportunity to be able to connect my fans with the real stuff I use to entertain, cook and live.
Follow Lucinda on OpenSky at https://opensky.com/lucindascalaquinn and tune in to: MAD Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn on the Hallmark Channel- weekdays at 12/11c.