What does it really mean to tell the truth—especially when it’s your own story?
In this episode of #UNFILTERED, I sit down with Maria Costanzo Palmer—author, journalist, and speaker whose work lives at the intersection of vulnerability, identity, and transformation.
We dive into her memoir “On the Rocks”, unpacking the emotional layers behind major unexpected life changes, family dynamics, and personal healing.
Maria shares what it took to write something so deeply personal, how storytelling can become a powerful tool for growth, and why owning your voice matters more than ever.
We also explore her work in media, her local cooking classevents, and what’s next—including a new book and documentary currently in the works.
This conversation is honest, raw, and deeply human—just the way we like it on #UNFILTERED.
This episode matters because shifting your narrative can restore your sense of self and spark powerful transformation. Maria shows us that our most imperfect moments, when truthfully told, become the foundation of our greatest rebirths.
Watch a clip from the episode
Key Takeaways
Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for healing
The journey from journalist to author to filmmaker
The emotional reality behind writing a memoir
How addiction and family dynamics shape identity
The courage it takes to share your truth publicly
The connection between food, memory, and personal history
What it really means to live “unfiltered”
How Maria is expanding her story into a second book, a new TV documentary + next steps in her career
Sound Bites
“Gratitude for everything that happened to me”
“Our roots and family stories shape who we are”
“Storytelling is a powerful form of healing”
Chapters/Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Kristen Hess and Maria Palmer
01:21 Maria Palmer’s Background and Journey into Writing
03:36 Family Roots and the Restaurant in McKees Rocks
04:56 Life-Changing Moments and Moving to Los Angeles
06:39 Documenting Family History and Confronting the Past
09:10 Healing Through Storytelling and Family Connections
11:37 Reuniting Family Through Food and Shared Memories
13:48 The Book Project: Writing in Multiple Voices
18:46 The Documentary Series: Production and Future Plans
26:00 Writing Challenges and Lessons Learned
32:40 Balancing Control and Collaboration in Creative Projects
45:16 Final Thoughts and Unfiltered Life Lessons
This episode dares you to confront your past, embrace your true voice, and find healing through the raw power of storytelling—because what we hide can ultimately make us whole.
There’s something about Easter that always feels like a gentle exhale.
A shift.
A soft return to light.
A reminder that something new is always just around the corner.
This year, I found myself leaning into that feeling more than ever—creating a menu that’s bright, fresh, and full of life… while quietly stepping into a brand new chapter of my own.
At the heart of this Easter table is a Grilled Peach and Avocado Salad that feels almost too pretty to eat—almost. Juicy, ripe peaches layered with crisp greens, a kiss of citrus, and just enough richness to balance it all out. It’s simple, but elevated. Effortless, but intentional.
The kind of dish that doesn’t try too hard… and still steals the show.
✨ “This is the kind of recipe that feels like golden hour on a plate—fresh, glowing, and just a little bit magical.”
It’s everything I love about spring cooking: seasonal ingredients, vibrant color, and letting the natural beauty of food do the talking.
It’s made with juicy grilled peaches, avocado, arugula, baby kale and spinach mix, red onions and topped with a lovely Shallot Vinaigrette and crumbled feta and honey toasted pecans.
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some Summer sunshine in my life!
Enjoy ☀️
theartfulgourmet
Grilled Peach + Avocado Salad
A beautiful sunny Spring salad made with juicy grilled peaches, avocado, arugula, baby kale and spinach mix, red onions and tossed with a lovely Shallot Vinaigrette and garnished with crumbled feta and honey toasted pecans.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Cut peaches into wedges while grill is preheating.
Spray hot grill liberally with non-stick spray. Grill peaches for 4 to 6 minutes or until peaches are nicely marked on all cut sides. You can also grill the peaches in a grill pan for the same effect.
Make vinaigrette by combining shallots, lemon juice, mustard and olive oil, salt and pepper to taste - whisk until just combined.
Assemble salad, in a large bowl. Add mixed greens, peaches, avocado slices and red onions.
Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to combine.
Top with crumbled feta (if using) and toasted pecans for garnish on top of the salad. Add more avocado slices on top if desired.
Notes
If you are vegan and want to make this recipe dairy-free, simply remove the feta cheese crumbles and substitute with a soy-based vegan cheese or more nuts, fruit, or veggies. Nutrition 870 cal | 45g carbs | 73g fat | 15g proteinRecipe adapted from H-E-B
📸 SOME NEW NEWS
I’ve recently opened a new ShopMy online shop where I’m curating some of my favorite things – food, wine, books, cookbooks, cooking and baking supplies, clothes, shoes, cosmetics and homegoods and so much more.
One of my ShopMy Partner merchants, @campsnapcamera, just gave me a NEW custom discount code for my followers – and it gives you 7% off all Camp Snap cameras! Code: KRISTEN-HESS7 Discount: 7% off
Check in often as I’ll be partnering with more cool brands to offer special discounts to my followers!
And if you’re not in the mood for shopping but are liking my content, you can support me with any amount donation at Buy Me A Coffee
New Community Pages + Upcoming Online Courses
I also have a new Artful Gourmet Community Page where I’ll soon be offering online Food Styling & Photography Courses, free downloadable PDF resources, cookbooks, e-books, 1:1 coaching sessions, and live demos and teaching sessions (also starting these soon on my Substack!) so stay tuned for more so you can sign up for these.
📸 Work With Me – Online Booking Site
Behind the scenes, there’s been just as much blooming happening as there is on the plate.
This season marks a new evolution of The Artful Gourmet—one that feels more expansive, more connected, and more aligned than ever.
I’ve been building out new ways to experience the brand, including:
Curatedonline shopping pagesfeaturing my favorite kitchen, styling, and entertaining finds
Streamlined online booking to make working together easier than ever
I do custom estimates for larger shoots including food styling, photography, food and branded videos, social media content creation, and multi-platform brand collaborations and sponsored campaigns.
Reach out and send me a message on the contact form on my portfolio site or send an email to studioinfo (at) theartfulgourmet.com with your project details and contact info and I’ll be in touch to discuss and provide a quote.
If you’re interested in my preset food photography packages – you can book me online here.
The Artful Gourmet Podcast + YouTube
If you haven’t tuned into The Artful Gourmet Podcast yet we have three podcast mini-series you can check out – each with a different theme but all related to food, creativity, mindset and living an Artful Life.
INTO FOCUS Series
A series on mindset, resilience, and the business side of being a creative entrepreneur. In these inspiring motivational episodes, I delve into the stories and insights that will shape the series, offering a sneak peek into the compelling narratives and thought-provoking discussions of what it takes to become a successful creative business owner, photographer and creator.
Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to The Artful Gourmet community, this series promises to captivate and inspire. Stay tuned to discover what lies ahead in “Into Focus.”
A new interview series where I sit down with creators, tastemakers, movers and shakers to talk about the journeys behind the work. The inspiration. The challenges. And the lessons learned along the way.
So pull up a chair…pour a glass of wine or grab a coffee…
Groovy Eats is pure nostalgia! This is the place where we highlight and bring back to life all of our favorite retro music, recipes, history and “vibe” of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. You’ll find heartfelt storytelling with personal memories, great food, and a lot of groove.
I also produce companion essays, stories, playlists, videos, photos from every Groovy Eats episode on the blog and Substack to give you a full picture of that time and place with multimedia storytelling.
Stay tuned for episode 4 launching in April. We’ve got disco, 70s cocktails,late night party bites and plenty of sequins and disco lights to bring the house down.
Don’t miss this one!
Season 2: The 1980’s and Season 3: The 1990’s will be coming out later this year and next year, so stay tuned for more retro food, music and fun 🤩 ☮️ 💃
And you can also tune into all of the Groovy Eats companion podcasts on YouTube and Substack, or wherever you get your podcasts.
MORE NEW NEWS!
🎥 Women In Power TV Episode
My TV documentary episode on Women In Power is airing in mid-2026 on Inside Success Networks on major streaming platforms!
The new show highlights women entrepreneurs and small business owners and leaders in their industries and each episode tells a story of the women’s experience starting their business, their biggest achievements and how they found success- even in the midst of obstacles and struggles by simply believing in themselves and working hard to follow their dreams.
My episode was shot in South Beach last November and the whole experience was so. much. FUN!
I had a blast meeting Rudy Mawer, Producer and Owner of Inside Success TV and we had a great conference and parties, meetups etc. where I got to hang out with all of the cast and crew from the show.
It feels like a full-circle moment—returning to my roots, my creative foundation, my people. The city where so much of this journey began.
There’s something about New York that sharpens your edge, expands your vision, and reminds you what you’re capable of.
✨ “Some places don’t just inspire you—they remind you who you are.”
I’m beyond excited to step back into that energy, reconnect with friends and family, and open the door to what’s next.
As always, wishing you all a fabulous Easter, and week ahead – remember to stay inspired, stay happy and stay hungry.
Kristen 😃
Kristen Hess | The Artful Gourmet
Food. Style. Travel. Creative Living.
Hi, I’m Kristen—food stylist, photographer, and creator behind The Artful Gourmet. This is where I share a curated mix of elevated recipes, food styling and photography tips, travel-inspired dishes, and creative lifestyle inspiration designed to make everyday moments feel a little more artful.
From behind-the-scenes looks at my shoots to seasonal cooking ideas, mindset insights, and the tools I actually use in my work, you’ll find a blend of beauty, flavor, and storytelling woven into everything I create. If you love thoughtfully styled food, fresh ingredients, and living well with intention, you’re in the right place—pull up a chair and stay awhile. 🍷✨
Welcome to Groovy Eats – our new YouTube show + Podcast that goes back in time, pairing retro music + recipes from the 70s, 80s and 90s 🎶 ⭐
Episode 1 | January 1978 :: Chicken Divan, “Baby Come Back,” + the Comfort of Simple Times
Some years stay with you forever.
For me, 1978 is one of them.
Me, my Sister Jen and Dad
January 1978 wasn’t flashy or loud — it was warm, comforting, and full of everyday magic. The radio played soft rock on repeat, dinner was often a casserole bubbling in the oven, and family time happened around the table, not a screen.
Baby Come Back by Player
That’s the spirit behind Groovy Eats Episode 1, my long awaited, brand new cooking show series. Each episode I’ll be pairing a #1 retro hit from the week with a beloved retro recipe from that same time period. Groovy Eats is all about letting food and music do what they do best – take us back in time, bring back the good memories, and take us home.
The Song That Sets the Mood: “Baby Come Back”
The #1 song this week in January 1978 was “Baby Come Back” by Player —
Baby Come Back by Player
a smooth, emotional soft-rock anthem that helped define the late ’70s “yacht rock” era. It remained #1 on the charts for 6 weeks in January and February 1978, along with other Yacht Rock and soft rock bands like the Bee Gees, Paul Simon, Ambrosia, Fleetwood Mac, and Styx.
Billboard Top 100 – January 1978
“Baby Come Back” is a song about lost love, longing, regret, and hope — wrapped in gentle harmonies and that unmistakable mellow groove. It didn’t demand attention. It earned it. And it remains one of my favorite 70s love songs today.
Baby Come Back #1 Single 1978 Player
For me, this song instantly brings back memories of an epic and unforgettable five-week family road trip in the Summer of 1978 from New York to California and back.
Me and my sister Jen on roadtrip out West 1978
I was 8 years old and my family packed me and my sister up in the back of a truck, with a hitch and an RV – and we adventured off into the unknown to the wild wild West.
Kristen and Jenni 1978
Dad, Jen and Mom
Mom and Dad 1970s
Long highways, crossword puzzles, campfires and marshmallows, hiking and exploring nature, panning for gold, salt flats in Salt Lake City, feeding Prairie Dogs in the Badlands, walkie talkies, Seattle, Mount Rushmore, geysers in Yellowstone Park, desert sunsets, and the radio always on.
Yacht Rock
This music was the soundtrack to childhood freedom — when life felt simple and wide open. Yacht Rock was king and something that always reminds me of that trip and the memories with my family as we traveled out West, without a care in the world.
The Dish That Brings It All Back: Chicken Divan
If the song sets the emotional tone, Chicken Divan sets the table.
Originally created in the early 1940s by Anthony Lagasi, chef at at the elegant Divan Parisien restaurant at Hotel Chatham in New York City, Lagasi had created a baked dish using chicken and broccoli in a rich bechamel sauce, creating the casserole we now know as Chicken Divan. It eventually made its way into American home kitchens — and by the 1970s, it was a full-blown casserole classic that everyone loved.
Creamy. Cozy. Comforting.
It was the kind of dish that felt “fancy” but familiar — perfect for family dinners and dinner parties alike.
This was a recipe my mom made for us, and when it was in the oven, you knew dinner was going to be good. It meant everyone was home. It meant we were sitting down together.
The casserole features chicken, broccoli, and a creamy curry sauce with a little lemon and wine added for flavor, topped with Cheddar cheese, buttery parmesan panko breadcrumbs and slivered almonds, all baked in the oven for a delicious and easy weeknight retro dinner the family will love.
This cozy and delicious casserole only takes about 30-45 minutes to make from start to finish, and you can make it ahead of time and reheat it in the oven or microwave leftovers, or cover it well in plastic wrap/foil and freeze it for later.
The recipe below is the shortcut version that my Mom used to make in the 70s-80s but if you have time and the desire – you can choose to make a creamy Mornay sauce in place of the Cream of Chicken Soup and mayo if you’re feeling fancy.
Side Note: A Mornay sauce is a béchamel sauce with grated cheese added. The usual cheeses in French cuisine are Parmesan and Gruyère, but other cheeses may also be used. In French cuisine, it is often used in fish dishes. In American cuisine, a Mornay sauce made with cheddar is commonly used for macaroni and cheese.
Please enjoy this luscious curry chicken cheesy broccoli delight – and let’s go back in time to 1978 – when life was good.
Chicken Divan (Late-’70s Casserole Style)
A true “Retro Metro” staple — exactly how it was loved in 1978.
Chicken Divan was a A “Retro Metro” staple that remained highly popular in 1978. It consisted of chicken and broccoli smothered in a cheese-infused Mornay sauce (or the shortcut version I made in the recipe below, using condensed soup), often topped with buttered breadcrumbs and/or toasted almonds.
How it was typically served:
Over rice or buttered noodles with a green salad and crusty bread and a crisp white wine — very late ’70s “continental dinner party” vibes.
Chicken Divan (Late-’70s Casserole Style)
In January 1978, popular recipes centered on elegant "Continental" dinner party fare, hearty winter stews, and the burgeoning "gourmet-to-go" movement. This month saw the peak of French-inspired classics and the debut of unique internationally-influenced dishes that defined the late 1970s. Chicken Divan was a "Retro Metro" staple that remained highly popular in 1978. It consisted of chicken and broccoli smothered in a cheese-infused Mornay sauce (or the shortcut version using condensed soup), often topped with toasted almonds.
3cupscooked chicken,chopped or shredded (rotisserie works well)
4cupsbroccoli florets (or 2 (10 oz) packages broccoli spears), cooked until just tender
2cans(10.5 oz each) condensed cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
1cupmayonnaise
1-2tsplemon juice
1-2tspcurry powder
1/4cupdry white wine or a splash of sherry
1.5cupsshredded cheddar
4tbspgrated Parmesan
1/4 cuppanko or italian breadcrumbs
1knobbutter, melted for Parmesan Panko topping
1/2cupsliced almonds
Method
Heat oven to 350°F.
Arrange broccoli in the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with chicken.
In a bowl, mix soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder, and wine/sherry until smooth.
Spread sauce over the chicken and broccoli. Sprinkle with cheese.
Top with sliced almonds (and/or buttered crumbs).
Bake 25–35 minutes, until hot and bubbling. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
How it was typically served in the 70s: over cooked rice or with buttered noodles (very “Continental dinner party” energy).Garlic bread and a green salad are great sides. And a light crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay pairs well, if you're feeling fancy.You can make it ahead of time and freeze it for later. Simply let it thaw and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
Why Music and Food Are the Ultimate Time Machines
What I love most about this pairing is how effortlessly it transports you.
One song. One dish.
Suddenly you’re back in another decade — remembering the people, the places, the feeling of being safe and cared for.
Food holds memory. Music unlocks it.
Dad, my Sister and Mom in 1978.
My childhood home in 1978 on Cherry Hill Lane, in West Webster NY .
That’s the heart of Groovy Eats — cooking through the decades, one groove at a time, and honoring the moments that shaped us along the way.
Watch & Listen 🎶🍽️
🎥 Watch the full episodeon YouTube to groove out to the song and cook along with me
If this episode sparked a memory for you, I’d love to hear it. Leave a comment and tell me: What song or dish instantly takes you back to childhood?
🎥 And please don’t forget to share, like and subscribe so you never miss a post, cooking video or podcast episode of Groovy Eats and The Artful Gourmet. 🎤
Until then, peace out, and keep grooving, one bite at a time. 😀🌟🙌
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