Mixin’ It Up

Mary Nolan ’04 always loved to cook. From her mother’s home-cooked meals in Davenport, Iowa, to her time spent studying cuisine in the Italian countryside, Nolan grew up with an appreciation for culinary arts. Yet she never expected that, after entering a reality cooking-show contest for the Food Network, she would be instead asked to host her very own cooking series.

Nolan began her journey in 2000 as a UW-Madison undergraduate pursuing a degree in journalism. Her education included a study-abroad experience in Florence, Italy, where she learned about Italian language and cuisine.

As a student, she interned at Madison Magazine and was inspired to pursue a job in magazine publishing. Her internship coordinator had a contact at Gourmet Magazine in New York City, and Nolan immediately inquired about an open position to combine her UW-Madison journalism degree with her love for the culinary world. Two weeks later, she had the job and was off to the Big Apple.

When she first moved to New York in 2004, she knew no one at first, but was able to connect with other Wisconsin alumni through events hosted by the Wisconsin Alumni Association: Big Apple Badgers Chapter. Through happy hours and other events, Nolan was able to exchange memories with alumni about their shared UW experience.

“There is definitely a UW presence in New York and UW alumni pride throughout the city,” Nolan said. “You can definitely feel that.”

With Madison’s great restaurants and famed farmer’s market, Nolan remembers Madison as a fabulous dining town. “Madison is a great city for people who love to eat,” she said.

Beginning in mid-May, Nolan will star in the Food Network’s Chic & Easy, a cooking show that focuses on creating elegant dishes that are accessible and simple to make.

Nolan said she was shocked and elated when she learned she was going to have her own show. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever done before,” she said.

After facing a few initial challenges, Nolan was soon able to tape two episodes per day and fully enjoy the experience of being on set.

Nolan says Chic & Easy is meant to target a younger demographic, and offers tips on how to entertain and cook in a stylish way that is relatively simple for anyone. The show’s debut season consists of six episodes ranging from football tailgating tips, to movie night snacks, to an elegant ladies’ luncheon.

“Going to UW-Madison was a fabulous experience that gave me the right tools to come to the city,” she said. “This show is a great example.”

—Nolan’s show will debut on the Food Network on Sunday, May 18 at 8:30 a.m. [CST].