Lidey Heuck contributes to The New York Times Cooking. Days after graduating from college, she went to work for Ina Garten, where she managed the Barefoot Contessa’s social media and tested recipes. Lidey has appeared in episodes of Barefoot Contessa and on Magnolia Network’s The Lost Kitchen with Erin French, for whom she interned in Maine. Lidey has been featured in Food & Wine, Food Network Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Food52, Delish, and The Kitchn. She recently moved from Brooklyn to the Hudson Valley, where she lives with her husband.
"“The recipes in Cooking in Real Life were intended to be 'low-effort, practical, and high-reward,' and that’s exactly what they are… her straightforward writing makes even unfamiliar techniques seem doable.” * Eater * “This will be a new favorite for busy home cooks looking to enhance their weeknight repertoire.” – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review “Every once in a while, a cookbook comes along that does it all, from simple to sophisticated, weeknight to showstopper, and, with tons of kitchen inspiration too, this is that cookbook.” – Booklist, Starred review “The kind of recipes that will instantly become classics in your kitchen — they're delicious yet approachable, familiar but with a twist, comforting but celebration-worthy.” * Food & Wine * “Lidey is straight-up spoiling us with this book. Smart and unfussy, Cooking In Real Life is loaded with everyday recipes that are deliciously repeat-worthy, filled with clever, heartfelt twists, and everything I want to eat at all the time.” -- Erin French, New York Times Bestselling Author of <I>The Lost Kitchen</I> and <I>Finding Freedom</I> ""As a longtime super fan of Lidey’s recipes I am so excited to add Cooking In Real Life to my cookbook collection. These dishes strike the ideal balance between maximum flavor and approachability, or as Lidey puts it, they are 'deliciously doable.' I know this book is going to be covered with the kinds of stains and splatters that are the signs of a well-loved cookbook."" -- Molly Yeh, Author of <I>Home is Where the Eggs Are</I> “If anyone knows how to teach and inspire the home cook, it’s Lidey. She has learned from the best, understands the demands on our time, so can get us in and out of the kitchen, smiling and victorious every time.” -- Odette Williams, Author of <I>Simple Pasta</I> “Lidey's cookbook is an absolute treasure! She gives us fantastic spins on classic dishes and also whips up deliciously unexpected recipes (I'm looking at you, spaghetti with sweet corn pesto). Her knack for anticipating questions and providing answers before they even arise makes the book especially practical for everyday cooks. I can't wait to dog-ear and cook from this book!” -- Jennifer Segal, Author of <I>Once Upon a Chef</I> “Lidey spent her childhood similar to me: Sunday dinners with her entire family, carefully observing her grandparents create delicious feasts with ease, and with plenty of love and laughter. I think this sets up one for a lifetime of joyful learning, cooking, and entertaining in the kitchen and beyond. Lucky for us, Lidey shares everything she knows in her gorgeous cookbook. This book is so comfortable, so lived in, and so confidently laid back that it can ONLY be described as Cooking In Real Life.” -- Dan Pelosi, Author of <I>Let's Eat</I> “The recipes in Cooking in Real Life are innovative and imaginative, but they still manage to be straightforward and low-effort—always keeping the cook in mind.” * <I>Parade</I> *"