“As far back as I can remember my life has been influenced by food,” explained Lester Sterling as he recalled memories of both grandmothers’ cooking.
Lester’s wife Carolyn (whose cooking was featured in this space July 24, 1991) passed away eight years ago. Lester’s cooking began to really take off although he had been spending time in the kitchen when Carolyn wasn’t feeling well. Having built up his confidence, Lester invited guests for a fish (that he had caught) dinner.
“Carolyn kept asking me what was I going to fix for dessert. You have to have a dessert she said. To my wife’s and guests’ surprise I made an apple pie. The recipe I had gotten out of a magazine.”
Making pies is one of Lester’s favorite foods to create. “My wife Carolyn, my mother-in-law Naomi Brown, and my grandmother Clara Sterling were instrumental in developing my interest in pies and various fillings. I remember going up the back steps to my grandmother Sterling’s house at Christmas and being hit with the wonder...