Say hello to Becky Selengut, a Magic Maker we love for her quick wit, creativity and approach to life in and out of the kitchen. Becky is a chef, author and teacher, and a woman with spunk. We love her cookbooks Shroom and Good Fish and highly recommend inviting her into your home for one of her unforgettable private chef dinners!

At Posie Turner, we are excited to shine a light on people who we admire and who illuminate the world around them. Inspire yourself. Inspire each other. Together, we are Posie Turner.

Name: Becky Selengut

Life work: Author, Podcaster, Cooking Teacher, Private Chef

Astrological sign? Libra

Favorite drink? Toss up between a Negroni and a Manhattan

Favorite mantra? Onward and upward

Who is your tribe? Half-assholes and the artistic, nerdy, edgy and imperfect

What inspired you to become a chef and author? I was most inspired by tv chefs when I was a little girl, Julia Child and Martin Yan

What is one of your most memorable moments as a chef? Getting to be part of a team cooking for Anthony Bourdain - at the end of the dinner I got everyone, including him, to flip off the camera.

What is your favorite meal to prepare at home? Simple scrambled eggs (I cook for everyone all the time, so I keep it super simple for myself)

What is your magic cooking ingredient? Fish sauce

What is your favorite part of the process of writing a cookbook? Handing in the final manuscript!

What is the equivalent of umami in our every day lives? Great question! Probably a great conversation where you reveal the depths of who you are and what keeps you grounded.

If you weren’t a cookbook author and chef, what would you be? Perhaps a surgeon, or possibly a judge

What advice would you give to your younger self? Nothing will ever be perfect, so just enjoy the moment in its imperfection

If you could have one wish come true, what would it be? Man, I wish I had that wish -- basic health care, food and shelter for everyone.

Who is your idol or mentor? My grandmother.

What is one thing your friends would be surprised to know about you? I’m more introverted than I let on.

What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced in your life? I developed a serious allergy to garlic which made me think my career was over (not to mention my enjoyment of the food of the world), but I’ve found a way to work around it.

Where do you go to find inspiration? I take other cooking teacher’s cooking classes, I read everything, listen to podcasts and Ted talks.

If you could make one wish for our world, what would it be? The end of war.

What do you do for fun? Karaoke, urban walks, restaurant hopping, travel, playing with my dogs

Favorite Posie Turner sock? All or nothing!

Anything else you would like to share? Posie Turner Rocks!

Becky can be found at: www.beckyselengut.com and @beckyselengut on instagram