This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As you flip through the channels in November, watch for Utah's Kelsey Nixon.
The host of "Kelsey's Essentials" has launched a line of kitchen gear that will be featured as part of Home Shopping Network's 24-hour Cooks Event on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Two weeks later, on Saturday, Nov. 14, her new show, "Kelsey's Homemade," premieres on The Cooking Channel and features food, decorating and other lifestyle tips.
Fans also can catch reruns of her first show, "Kelsey's Essentials," which ran for five seasons and helped beginning cooks navigate the kitchen. In 2013, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Culinary Host category for her work on the show.
A graduate of Brigham Young University and Le Cordon Bleu in Hollywood, Nixon jump-started her television career when she was a contestant on Season 4 of "The Next Food Network Star." She finished fourth and was voted a fan favorite. Her first cookbook, "Kitchen Confidence: Essential Recipes and Tips That Will Help You Cook Anything," came out in 2014.
Her new product line, which costs between $17 and $50, includes mixing bowls, ceramic knives, collapsible storage containers, universal silicone lids, a mint green spice grinder and a compact hand mixer that has a place to store the beaters that always seem to get lost.
Despite all her success, those who follow Nixon on Facebook or other social media know the Ogden native has had sad times, too. She has been open with fans about the recent death of her 1-month-old son, who was born premature last March.
We caught up with Nixon, who lives in New York City with her husband and their preschool-age son. She talked candidly about her new projects, dealing with grief and her latest food obsession. Her comments have been edited for length and clarity.
In July, you launched a new line of kitchen products on Home Shopping Network. How did that come about?
It all started with my cookbook, "Kitchen Confidence." HSN expressed interest in selling the book during the 24-Hour Cooks Event last year. It did well and sold out, and that's when I was approached about doing an exclusive line.
Is it the first time you've been on HSN?
When I was a student at BYU and was doing the iProvo show "Kelsey's Kitchen," Back to Basics (a Utah-based company that has since been acquired by Westbend) hired me to do sales on HSN. Selling their egg and muffin toasters was my first experience. To be back 10 years later is surreal.
What was your inspiration for the kitchen pieces?
When I had my initial meeting, I thought, "What can I take to the marketplace that isn't already there?" I also knew that anything I was going to put out there had to be authentic and organic to who I am. So I thought about what plagued me in my life as a city mom in a small apartment and small kitchen. When I invest in new kitchen tools, they have to have multiple purposes and be small and efficient. They also have to look nice because without cupboard space, a lot of things are on the counter and visible. So all the items are smart and efficient, but as beautiful as they are functional.
What was the first piece that came to mind?
The collapsible kitchen storage pieces. My biggest pet peeve, as my son has grown into a toddler and I pack him food for preschool, is figuring out how to store reusable containers and lids. The collapsible storage has been a huge hit with viewers and best of all, it has solved a problem in my life.
What's the best seller?
The universal silicone lids, because they really do solve some great problems. These lids fit all different types of pots and bowls. I use them when I prepare dinner in advance and they have drastically reduced the need for plastic in my life. You can toss them in the dishwasher, and because they are silicone they don't get hot.
Your cooking shows are taped, but HSN is live television. Is that good or bad?
It's a great adrenaline rush and I like having to think on my feet. For the 24-Hour Cooks Event there's no time to sleep. But it's great to work on a project and get it to people so quickly. When it's a brick-and-mortar store, you send it out and hope someone buys it. With HSN there's instant gratification.
Will you add more pieces in the future?
Yes. The next three are being manufactured now and include a two-in-one candy and protein digital thermometer; a set of whisks that are silicone coated in fun, bright colors; and a compact hand grater with three separate plates for fine, medium and large grating.
Speaking of the future, what can viewers expect on your new show "Kelsey's Homemade"?
"Kelsey's Essentials" was all about setting up your first kitchen and learning the classic recipes. The new show has more lifestyle elements — setting up your first home, recipes that are more simple, because weekend recipes just won't work on a Tuesday after work. I'm sharing those things that work in my life.
You've been open about the death of your second child, Leo. Do you feel like talking about that low point?
Yes. I have this very public job and I ask people to allow me into their homes, so I think it's appropriate to talk about things that happen in my personal life. The worst thing in the world is to lose a child, and I have empathy for people who have. Our first son came 12 weeks early and he spent two months in the NICU. It was a challenging experience, but now, looking back, that was a cakewalk. There were just so many things that made Leo's birth so awful. We were so thorough and researched about whether it was responsible to have a second child. Doctors told us what happened [with first son Oliver] usually only occurred with first pregnancies and we should absolutely pursue a larger family. They were surprised at how difficult this second pregnancy was.
Where have you found solace and support?
The one place we have found refuge is our home. It's become a place to heal. We come here and feel safe. Because of that, we have just poured ourselves into our home.
Were viewers supportive?
Overwhelmingly and it means so much. You realize this happens to a lot more people than you think.
Has your Mormon faith helped you?
It did and it still does. I'm grateful for the sense of hope that it offers me that I will see my son again. And we are hopeful that we will get the family we dreamed of. But it will take some time.
You're back juggling home and work and you make it look easy. What advice do you have for working parents?
When people say balance, it sounds kind of silly. Who can find balance? On the days that I'm awesome at my job, I'm not as awesome as a mom, and when I'm an awesome mom, my work probably isn't that great. There's this back and forth. But I try not to beat myself up.
What's your latest food obsession?
This northern Utah girl has discovered oysters since living on the East Coast. There is this restaurant near our house that has oyster happy hour and they have $1 oysters from 5 to 7 p.m. We are there a lot.
Where's Kelsey?
Nov. 1 • Home Shopping Network's 24-Hour Cooks event. Nixon's new kitchen products will be featured during the 8 a.m. and noon hours and she will participate with other celebrity chefs in a friendly cooking competition.
Nov. 14 • The premiere of "Kelsey's Homemade." In this new Cooking Channel series, Nixon reinvents her small-town food and decorating traditions in the big city. Check local listings for times.