We’re Julia Colleen Davison and Bridget Lancaster, America’s Test Kitchen Hosts, and This Is How We Work.
For over sixteen years, America’s Test Kitchen has approached food preparation through a methodical, scientific approach, explaining how to perfect a recipe. In crowded food TV, they stand out for their rigorous testing and accessible recipes.
Julia Colleen Davison and Bridget Lancaster have made regular appearances on the show since its inception, and take over the reins this year as hosts of the show’s 17th season. You can count on the same in the best possible way with equipment reviews, tastings, and recipes for home chefs rated by professionals at America’s Test Kitchen. We got in touch with Julia and Bridget to find out a little about how they work when they are not behind the stove.
Location: Massachusetts. Current concert activities: Cooking editors and hosts of America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Country TV shows.
One word that best describes how you work:
- Julia: Organized
- Bridget: Caffeinated
Current mobile device:
- Julia: iPhone – I don’t know which version.
- Bridget: iPhone 7
Current computer:
- Julia: MacBook Pro – again, I don’t know which version.
- Bridget: MacBook Pro
What apps, software or tools can’t you live without?
Julia:
- Apple Music : For me, it’s mostly radio. While I hate the idea of paying for “radio”, I love that any music I want is always at my fingertips, especially when I’m working.
- Audible : I rarely have time to read. I leave great books on paper and listen to everything else on Audible. It turned my commute from the worst part of the day to one of the best. Sometimes I sit in the driveway when I get home to hear the end of a chapter.
- Application for entry to the coach in the gym: I eat a ton of food at work (it’s part of my job), so finding time for effective training is crucial for my health. In general, I love any application for making an appointment.
- Google Calendar: It’s ugly, but it seems like the only way for everyone to keep track of my schedule. Maintaining my schedule is a real battle and I am currently losing. I’ve looked at other types of apps, calendars, etc., but none have worked for me so far. Maybe someday someone smart will come up with something that actually works.
Bridget: Love Waze for navigation and use WhatsApp to keep in touch with those close and far.
How is your workplace arranged?
Yulia: I really care about my workplace. I have two offices (home and work); my work gets better when I’m at one of my desktops. I always connect my laptop to a suitable keyboard, mouse and large monitor. I am short, so my desks are ridiculously short – they almost look like desks for children – but my feet have to be on the floor or I get cranky. Also, I have good lighting (no blue, buzzing ceiling fluorescent lamps for me) and need to have neat objects on the walls to look at when I think.
Bridget: I work from my home office most of the time. This is a fairly traditional setup (table, window, phone), but I also have a FitDesk – stationary bike and table.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?
Yulia: I wear headphones when I’m in the office, even if I’m not listening to anything. It helps me focus, but it also prevents people from interrupting me to just say hello when my office door is open. It’s as if there was a bouncer at the door.
Bridget: I have a couple of “cooking days” a week where I cook as much as I can and pack the food so it can be easily accessed. Thus, I will not start from scratch every single day.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager ?
Julia: Old paper and pencil. I have a favorite little spiral bound notebook, and every morning I make my to-do list and add to it a list of all the appointments for the day. I carry my laptop everywhere. Anything that remains on the list at the end of the day is either written down the next day, or I’ll find someone to help me do it. Before leaving work, I rip out the day’s page, grind it into a ball and throw it in the bin – very nice. I also have an old electric pencil sharpener because writing with super-sharp pencils is cool.
Bridget: I’m old school! I have a Moleskine magazine and a pen. There is something incredibly enjoyable about manually crossing items off your to-do list.
What device, besides a phone and a computer, can you not live without and why?
Julia: Nice in-ear headphones with good sound quality, won’t damage after hours, won’t break my earrings or ruffle my hair. My favorite pair was bought from a chain of office stores, and I have uniquely shaped rubber pads that fit nicely in my ear – very comfortable. I have headphones everywhere – on my desk, computer bag, purse, suitcase, car …
Bridget: Coffee maker !!! I’m like the Hulk without my first cup of coffee. Also, I have a homemade “keeper” (chest freezer converted to a keg chiller / dispenser) in my basement which is very handy.
What kitchen gadget or tool that people often forget about is a must for you?
Julia: An electric tea kettle that turns off automatically when the water boils. I have no idea why people don’t like this thing – we use it several times a day at my house.
Bridget: Teapot. I have to have a cup of tea in the late afternoon.
Are you always working on something? Or when you finish a project, do you take the time to let your mind wander without worrying about what comes next?
Julia: Ha, I’ve never thought about it before. When I finish a project, I “mark” by letting my thoughts wander. It can be as simple as walking through a test kitchen to see what everyone else is working on, or doing aimless web trolling. I also do this when I get stuck in a project with no ideas.
Bridget: I always work on several projects at once (at home and at work). I do a lot at home with my own hands, so there is always something to do.
What are some of your best everyday activities? What’s your secret?
Julia: I get out of the house very efficiently in the morning; it takes me only 15 minutes from waking up to driving to work (including shower). I don’t make breakfast (drink kefir ), I don’t read my email (just see if something is on fire), and I don’t drink coffee / tea until I’m driving. Also, I have simple clothes, mostly black, so everything always matches.
Bridget: Made the bed. I love a well made bed with hospital corners and tight sheets.
Do you have any culinary delights?
Julia: American cheese is so creamy when melted.
Bridget: You know, indulge your desire for Bell’s tacos or … I don’t feel guilty when it comes to food.
What do you listen to while you work?
Julia: I have a work list to help me stay focused. It contains mostly contemporary music (some chill / ambient and electronic music) with some added classical and classical rock. Also, I love the playlists in Apple Music’s For You feature.
Bridget: I definitely prefer silence when I work.
What are you reading now?
Julia: I just realized that I like science fiction, so I’m working on classics: Dune , Ender’s Game , Outlander and so on. I also enjoy listening to Ready Player One .
Bridget: I’ve been reading a lot lately. Read Player One at the Ready and Agatha Christie ‘s old novel The Assassination of Roger Ackroyd , as well as The Country Elegy . Now I’m rereading To Kill a Mockingbird .
How do you replenish?
Julia: Work out in the gym, then take a long shower, and then take a good nap.
Bridget: I have two wonderful sons, and I try to spend as much time with them as possible. This allows me to see everything else in perspective.
What is your sleep pattern?
Julia: I’m an owl. I often find it difficult to get up early in the morning and cannot sleep.
Bridget: I sleep badly, so I’m a night owl and get up early. I use my iPhone with an alarm to make sure I get out of bed.
Fill in the blank: I would like ________ to answer these same questions.
Yulia: My older relatives. It would be interesting to see what they chose as their “gadgets.”
Bridget: I would like Nigella Lawson to answer the same questions.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Julia: “Tell me what you’re going to do and then do it.” Works for so many things – writing essays, showing videos, holding meetings, making plans with others, working with children …
Bridget: Always find what you have in common with the other person, and don’t get hung up on the differences.