Pike Road author finds recipe for success – Montgomery Advertiser

PAUL SULLIVAN, Special to the Advertiser 7:30 a.m. CT April 10, 2017

Southern chef Stacy Lyn Harris of Pike Road is the bestselling author of three books , founder of the popular Game and Garden blog, and co-host of The Sporting Chef on The Sportsmans Channel.(Photo: Contributed)

Sales of Stacy Lyn Harris first book are being overwhelmed by her third work that is now out and doing well on Amazon, the Pike Road author says.

Her reputation also has grown leading to her taking part in an April 22 panel of authors during the Book Festival at Old Alabama Town.

My first book went very well, especially in the outdoor community, she said. But this book is knocking that one out of the water."

Her first work, Tracking the Outdoors, was meant to help those who liked to garden and harvest their own food and cook using fresh ingredients.

Since the learning curve was incredibly huge in cooking wild foods, it was in my heart to help those just starting out. I pored over ancient recipes and found that they all had the common thread of pairing certain kinds and cuts of meat with cooking applications, Harris said. The vegetables in the book are straight forward and perfect to pair with just about every meal. The recipes were based on family recipes and old ancient ones.

Stacy Lyns Harvest Cookbook came out recently, and sold out the first day on Amazon, Harris said. I was floored. Its a very good problem to have to be sure. Southern Living chose the book as Top Pick of the Week. Its been really fun, she said.

Southern chef Stacy Lyn Harris of Pike Road is the bestselling author of three books , founder of the popular Game and Garden blog, and co-host of The Sporting Chef on The Sportsmans Channel.(Photo: Contributed)

Recipes and Tips for Sustainable Living was actually Harris second book, but she wanted to make additions to that piece, leading to her current effort.

I added several chapters and 15 more how tos in the book. Many of my friends, family, and people who had bought my first book were asking for more. I also wanted to share more basic tips that would make it simpler for people to cook amazing food and to garden, she said. My recipeshave to meet a three-part criteria: family friendly, that is easy, with simple ingredients, fresh, and tasty.

Included are 15 how-to articles sprinkled throughout the book that offer steps for cooking and eating in any setting, including container gardening, how to save seeds, preserving, foraging, composting and more.

Harris will be joined by Marty Duncan and Robert Moss at the Book Festival on April 22. The Festival takes place from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.at Old Alabama Town, located in downtown Montgomery near the Biscuits ballpark.

We are cookbook authors and television guest chefs, and Robert is a spirits expert, Harris said. Well be answering questions and signing books after the event.

Southern chef Stacy Lyn Harris of Pike Road is the bestselling author of three books , founder of the popular Game and Garden blog, and co-host of The Sporting Chef on The Sportsmans Channel.(Photo: Contributed)

She says becoming an author has changed her life as well as that of her family.

Ive had to learn how to be more organized, that is for sure. Weve grown closer as a family, working toward one goal. Its amazing how much the kids selflessly give and help, she said. Its really cool seeing the kids light up when they do an amazing job at recreating a dish that I need to take to an event while Im studying or writing new recipes.

It took Harris three months to write her first book, which came about at the urging of her husband.

We were on a family trip to Tennessee and Scott said, You should write that cookbook youve been talking about writing. So all the way in the car traveling back to Montgomery I outlined the entire book. We ordered a good camera, learned how to use it and cooked for 12 weekends in a row. I wrote in between cooking and photo shoots and that was that, she said The second and third book were much much easier. I understood the process, understood my camera, the lighting, the food design, organizing the pictures and recipes, and I spread the writing out throughout the year. It wasnt nearly as intense. Ive definitely got the bug. I cant wait to do it again.

She says she wants the writing endeavor to teach her children a lesson that can last a lifetime.

I hope my kids learn how incredible it is to have a spouse who supports and helps you in all you do, she said.

Southern chef Stacy Lyn Harris of Pike Road is the bestselling author of three books , founder of the popular Game and Garden blog, and co-host of The Sporting Chef on The Sportsmans Channel.(Photo: Contributed)

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Pike Road author finds recipe for success - Montgomery Advertiser