Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves is known for her riveting portrayals of operas femme fatales Carmen and Delilah. Her creamy, seductive vocalism intoxicating enough to win over any leading tenor. The voice itself, luxuriant and as smooth as a ride in a Mercedes Benz, has taken her to the world’s great opera houses and concert venues. Now, in what some might think an unlikely turn, the grand diva has flipped the page to a new chapter of her life and is creating quite the buzz as a celebrity home cook. Think Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) meets Cilea’s Princess de Bouillon and you’ll have in mind the perfect picture of Denyce Graves of today. Always glamorous, accessible, and affable, we asked the Metropolitan Opera star to tell us about her passion for food, her new YouTube cooking show and more.
People know you as this larger than life opera diva, but what people may be surprised to learn is that you live on and operate a farm. Can you tell us why farming is important to you? What are the benefits of incorporating homegrown foods into your diet?
DG: In terms of food, poor diet is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Improving American nutrition would make the biggest impact on our health care. I’m married to someone in the health care industry, and I have seen firsthand how food can destroy but also how it can heal.
I became a mother late in life, and when these precious and perfect beings came into my life, I wanted to do whatever I could to keep them perfect and not put junk into their bodies and minds. Being in an environment of peace and calm and [monitoring] what we put into our bodies became paramount for myself and my family. My husband and I both have hectic [schedules] and high-intensity jobs that can leave us depleted. I want to have a family life that nourishes us and restores us, and starts the kids out in a space of wholesomeness. The farm puts us in touch with nature. We know the quality of the foods we grow and harvest. We know that we have to give something good to the land for it to give something good back to us.
What is your cooking style?
DG: I grew up with southern cooking and traditional American foods, but [because of my career] I have traveled the world and lived in many other countries, including Italy and, France where I have taken cooking lessons from native Italians and Frenchmen. My cooking style is an amalgamation of all of my travels, and [reflects] my appreciation for many different cooking techniques. [My cooking style] is unique; it is fusion and international flair infused into all of my dishes.
Who are your culinary influences?
DG: To name a few-my beautiful Aunt Shirley who made the best mac-n-cheese and turkey wings on planet earth, my dear French mom-Mireille Thomas, The Two Fat Ladies- Clarissa Dickson Wright and Jennifer Paterson, The Pioneer Woman, and Julia Child (who I once sang for). I like Giada [de Laurentis] very much as well and use her recipes often.
Why did you decide to create a cooking show? Why now?
DG: When you have a family, there’s no escaping cooking. The lifestyle of an opera singer also requires that you learn how to cook since you spend so much time traveling. I’ve been cooking since I was a young girl, but when my husband got very ill a few years ago, before COVID, I became even more serious about serving him healing foods and worked very closely with a nutritionist. My husband is immunocompromised, which means that E-V-E-R-Y-thing has to be given intense thought and care. With the family sheltered at home during this pandemic, the meals have become more and more imaginative, and I have gone out of my way to make [meals] interesting and fun. I often shared photos of our meals with friends and talked about what I was going to prepare. Many said to me, “Denyce, you should do a cooking show”. Right now, we’ve all become more experimental and bolder in the kitchen because we’ve had to.
With the creative arts industry nearly decimated by this pandemic- I didn’t want to sit back and wring my hands. As the great artist, Marian Anderson said of her contribution to the Civil Rights Movement, ” If I [have] anything to offer, now [is]the time”.
So, I want to be a shining light amidst this uncertainty. I want to offer a platform for singers who were home with no work, and I want to share something that we all do that nourishes and pleases us. I have been very private til now and not shared my personal life with the public or the industry, but I want to do my part. I want us to forget for a bit and celebrate music, food, and life.
That’s why now. Space and [opportunity] were there.
Where can we find your show?
DG: The public can tune in Sundays at 2 pm (EST) on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Please like and subscribe- “Cooking with Denyce”.
