Domer Dishes
What is Domer Dishes? It’s more than a cookbook—it’s a collection of recipes woven together with stories, memories, and a little Irish spirit. Each Notre Dame “chef” featured in these pages—whether a former football player, coach, leprechaun, or student manager—has shared a favorite recipe. Some include family traditions passed down through generations. Others reveal a special memory tied to teammates, game days, or life under the Golden Dome. Every dish offers not just flavors, but a glimpse into the people who once wore the blue and gold.
This isn’t a glossy, intimidating cookbook. It’s real food, real stories, and real connections. My husband and I rolled up our sleeves to cook nearly every dish ourselves, with the help of my dear friend, Chef James Ketara. Along the way, we snapped photos, swapped stories, and laughed over the messes in our kitchen. And yes—you’ll even find one recipe from me. I may not be a gourmet chef, but I promise it’s something I do well.
So flip through the pages, try a recipe or two, and join in the storytelling. When you do, share your creations with #DomerDishes—I’d love to see your favorites.
Cheers—and Go Irish!
I laughed almost immediately.
“What do you think about writing a Notre Dame football cookbook that contains the favorite recipes of a bunch of Notre Dame football players, combined with a little storytelling?”
I laughed almost immediately. If you know me, you know I am not a cook. Yes, I cooked for my family as the kids were growing up and managed to not permanently damage anyone, but there are plenty of stories of cooking mishaps that I’ve been a part of over the years (including burning noodles, which I will never live down). Family rarely allowed me to cook for holiday dinners.
And yet here I am, a published cookbook author. Proof that nothing is impossible!
The Spark Behind the Story
Every project has a beginning, and this one started with a simple but powerful spark. That spark came from Lee Becton. He shared an idea—one so good it refused to stay just an idea. With his encouragement, I took it and ran, shaping it into something real, something meaningful.
Without Lee’s vision, none of this would have taken flight. I’ll always be grateful that he not only inspired the journey, but also trusted me to bring it to life.
