About

the girl
Hi, I’m Jara. I’m an amateur cook and food enthusiast.
I’m a recent grad who finished a BA in Political Science and currently trying to find my place in the working world. Food centers my life along with family and friends. I was born overseas but raised in Toronto and while my travels take me all over the world, this city will always be my home.

My cooking journey started out of hunger when I was young. My folks were busy at that moment and couldn’t make me something so I decided to throw some ingredients into a pan, mix it up and eat it. I haven’t stopped cooking since. Every once in a while I debate the idea of finally going to culinary school. But while I love food, I don’t suspect I’ll become a trained professional at it. Instead I am fully self-taught and devote my passion towards this blog and my culinary adventures.

the blog
I started this blog in the fall of 2009. I was inspired by the many other blogs out there contributing to the blogging and cooking world. I started out not knowing what opportunities and experiences would be coming my way. I’ve learned a lot since then about myself and my relationship and understanding of food. My greatest lesson thus far is learning to take the time to enjoy and be present while you eat. There’s so much more joy and appreciation if you take the time to savour it.

To explain the name of the blog (long-winded as it is according to my closest critics aka family), would require a trip back to my first semester in university. I heard the word from a lecture and even wrote a paper inspired by it later that year. I also wanted the blog to be more than just what I could cook. Instead I wanted it to branch out into all aspects of the food world and what better base than cravings.

Food is one of the great connectors in life. It’s experiences are as unique as each person enjoying it. It takes quite a bit of work to run a food blog but the rewards are endless and soul-satisfying.

special thanks
I just wanted to thank my family, in particular my dad who has been my IT support throughout the creation of the blog. Thank you to the rest of my family and friends for providing inspiration and support. They don’t kill me or eat me alive when I make them wait until I can take a photo before starting a meal.They sometimes sacrifice not going to a new restaurant or trying new foods without me there to document it or give me recipes or restaurant tips to find my next inspiration. They provide the groceries for me to create my food and taste test everything I make, good or bad. They encourage me to try new things and help me get the perfect shot. They stand by me as I pull my camera out everywhere I go and make it a habit to remind me about taking a photo. They are very much part of this process and I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.

contact
Feel free to  contact me anytime through my contact form above or by email at ubiquitousfoodcravings (at) hotmail (dot) com. If you have a general question please check out my FAQ page. However if you have a question about a recipe, me, or this blog please send me an email.