'The Great American Cookbook Competition': Get to Know Lauren

Lauren Kudlawiec
Hometown: Johnstown, PA

Proposed Book Title: Scrumptious, Simple and Secretly Healthy

Book Concept: I am a big believer that families CAN make healthy food quickly and affordably in ways that will please even the pickiest palates. My hopeful cookbook is Scrumptious, Simple and Secretly Healthy. My cookbook goal is to show America, through my recipes, that simple cooking methods and secret healthy ingredients can turn your everyday dishes into delicious, healthy meals without breaking your budget.

My name is Lauren Kudlawiec and I’m from the Altoona-Johnstown area of central Pennsylvania. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart and #1 taste tester, Bryan. Since moving back to our home town after college, we spend our time traveling, exercising, cooking and playing with our recently adopted shelter dog, Ben. I am a home-taught cook and learned most of my kitchen skills from my Mom and grandparents. Some of my most cherished memories come from preparing and enjoying food with my husband, Mom, Dad, sister, and brother, as well my big wonderful family and great friends. The kitchen is where I spend most of my time because I love watching people enjoy my food. I frequently scour websites, phone apps, cookbooks and magazines (like Rachael Ray’s!) to design new dishes. As a Family & Consumer Science teacher at Penn Cambria High School in Cresson, Pennsylvania, I am fortunate to spend my days teaching my students that cooking and baking can be fun, easy and even healthy! I take pride in showing teenagers that the kitchen can be an inviting and enjoyable place for the whole family. I also coach the Panthers Track and Field team and teach our school’s Child Development class, in which I teach two preschool classes with the help of my high school students.