Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Bogardus
Hi Amber, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In July 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I took a leap and launched my food blog, A Toasted Crumb, with the loving support of my husband. What began as a creative outlet to share recipes during lockdown quickly evolved into a space where I could blend my passion for cooking and desire to connect with others.
The blog grew alongside me through some of life’s biggest moments—getting married, buying our first home, and navigating the ups and downs of pregnancy. Then, in 2022, life shifted in an unexpected and profound way.
That year, we welcomed our son, Nolan, into the world—a moment filled with joy, uncertainty, and resilience. His arrival brought unexpected challenges, and my family needed me more than ever. I chose to pause work on my blog and dedicate myself fully to navigating that season with him.
For nearly five months, we lived in Children’s Dallas, where Nolan received expert care. Miraculously, he made incredible progress, and with ongoing treatment, he’s now thriving. This experience has deepened my appreciation for life’s fleeting moments and the importance of embracing what we love.
Now, with a renewed sense of purpose, I’m excited to return to A Toasted Crumb and continue building what I started. On the blog, I share family-friendly recipes, easy step-by-step cooking tutorials, and touches of lifestyle content. Whether you’re a busy parent, a mom rediscovering her groove, or simply someone who loves good food, my goal is to help you transform everyday ingredients into memorable meals—and inspire you to embrace a vibrant, balanced life along the way.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building A Toasted Crumb has been an incredibly rewarding journey, but it’s also come with its fair share of challenges—like most self-managed websites do. Juggling the tasks of organizing and curating content, developing and testing recipes, collaborating with partners and fellow bloggers, and simultaneously learning the technical side—like coding, SEO, and site management—has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Each step has pushed me to wear many hats, from creator to marketer to tech support, all while balancing my personal life. But through the ups and downs, every lesson has strengthened my skills and deepened my passion for sharing meaningful content with my audience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love sharing fun, family-focused recipes, easy-to-follow cooking tutorials, creative ideas for entertaining, and seasonal dishes that reflect what’s fresh and in-season. Incorporating fresh ingredients is at the heart of my cooking. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with produce partners and vegetable brands, which has fueled my passion for using fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs in every dish.
My focus is on creating no-fuss, approachable recipes that anyone can master, regardless of experience. A major motivation behind starting my food blog was to inspire others to enjoy the process of cooking for themselves. I want people to understand what they’re putting into their bodies and discover how affordable and rewarding cooking at home can be. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a dish for entertaining, my goal is to make cooking feel accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable for everyone.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I’m an entertainer at heart. Hosting parties, cooking for others, and planning events is where I truly thrive. Even as a kid, I was always looking for an excuse to plan a birthday celebration or a seasonal party for my friends, complete with fun games and creative goodie bags. These days, when I host people in my home, you’ll find me in the kitchen whipping up breakfast, baking a loaf of bread for guests to take home, or pouring wine while chatting and mingling.
There’s nothing quite like the joy on people’s faces when they experience a meal I’ve made or attend one of our gatherings. That sense of connection and shared happiness is what drives me. Creating those memorable moments is, without a doubt, one of my life’s greatest purposes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://atoastedcrumb.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atoastedcrumb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atoastedcrumb
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@atoastedcrumb
Image Credits
Both images of a women in a green shirt should be credited with:
Callen Creative Photography, Hannah Callen
The image of the family should be credited with: :
Callen Creative Photography, Hannah Callen
The remaining images and portfolio grids should be credited with:
A Toasted Crumb, Amber Bogardus
REVISION REQUEST:
Please place these captions beneath the appropriate photos mentioned.
