The Art of Nourishment: Victoria Hampton’s Legacy of Love Through Food
Welcome to the sixth edition of Women of Wisdom, a blog series celebrating extraordinary women who continue to thrive and inspire in their golden years. As a functional nutritionist, I believe true wellness goes beyond physical health—it includes spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being.
Each month, I interview a woman who exemplifies resilience, growth, and joy. These remarkable women embrace aging with grace, wisdom, and a touch of mischief, continually evolving by building upon their skills, experiences, and life lessons. Through their stories, we uncover invaluable insights on perseverance, fulfillment, and holistic wellness.
Join me as we celebrate their journeys and embrace every stage of life with vitality and purpose.
Volume 6 ~ The Art of Nourishment: Victoria Hampton’s Legacy of Love Through Food
Do you know how to set a proper table? Which side of the plate the knife belongs on or whether it should turn in or out? I do—because if we got it wrong growing up, we had to come back and fix it ourselves. My mom, Victoria Hampton, made sure of that. She also taught me how to cook eggs so they were light and fluffy, how to stretch them when we were low, and how to stuff bell peppers from our garden—skills I assumed everyone learned at home. But as I got older, I realized these lessons weren’t just about cooking; they were about resourcefulness, tradition, and care.
Some of my fondest memories involve watching my mom in the kitchen—whether she was making a simple meal for our family or preparing food for an event. Her love for cooking has been woven into every stage of her life, from childhood through her professional career, and now into her well-earned days of RV travel. Over the years, she has gathered an incredible wealth of knowledge about food, organization, and planning, which she continues to pass down with the same warmth and generosity that fills her kitchen.
My mom is more than a great cook—she’s a self-taught chef with an intuitive ability to transform any ingredient into a nourishing, delicious meal. Whether stretching a budget to feed a family of seven, preparing meals for senators as the head of the Texas Lt. Governor’s reception room, or making the most of fresh vegetables from my dad’s garden, she embodies the art of wholesome, home-cooked meals.
And her skills don’t stop at home—every summer, she and my dad RV for three months, where she’s mastered planning ahead, freezing meals, and working magic in a tiny kitchen. Even in the middle of nowhere, she proves that real food is always within reach.
For her, cooking isn’t just about feeding people. It’s about bringing them together, honoring the gifts God and nature provide, and passing down a legacy of nourishment. From Southern comfort foods to global flavors, from RV camping trips to elegant receptions, my mom has created meals that fuel both body and soul. This is her story.
Roots in the Kitchen
My mom’s journey with food started early, growing up in a large family with 12 siblings. As the third oldest, she naturally took on a helping role in the kitchen, working alongside her mother to prepare meals for a full house. With so many mouths to feed, she learned firsthand the importance of fresh ingredients, simple seasonings, and the magic that happens when you cook with love.
In a bustling household, the kitchen was more than just a place to cook—it was where she learned patience, resourcefulness, and the value of hard work. Her presence carried a quiet strength that didn’t go unnoticed. As one of her sisters, Laura, once said,
“Her seven sisters were dismayed by her power and conviction,
and her four brothers watched her with caution.”
That determination, paired with her deep-rooted love for home-cooked meals, shaped the way she approaches food to this day—always with care, intention, and an appreciation for the little details that make a meal special.
The Early Years of Blending a Family
Having grown up in a large family, my mom learned early on that the kitchen was more than just a place to cook—it was the heart of the home, where meals brought people together and love was served alongside every dish. But her journey in the kitchen took on new meaning when life led her to an unexpected chapter—blending a family and embracing the challenges and joys that came with it.
When she met my dad, she was a mother of three, and he was raising my sister and me. I was just four years old when they took a leap of faith, joined their lives, and blended our families into one.
Together, they embarked on a new chapter, making the bold decision to move our family to a small town to run Camp Tejas, a Christian camp and retreat center. It was here that my mom truly honed the art of meal planning, organizing and preparing three meals a day for up to 180 kids at a time. Though the experience taught her invaluable skills, my parents ultimately decided that it wasn’t the best fit for our family, and we relocated to Austin.
Leaving the small-town life behind, our family settled in Austin, where my mom’s love for food found a new outlet. She took a job as the Catering Manager at Green Pastures, a historic restaurant known for its Southern hospitality and fine dining. This shift from feeding church campers to running large-scale events introduced her to the world of professional kitchens, and the intricate details of catering.
In the fast-paced world of catering, she had to be highly organized, adaptable, and creative. Whether preparing meals for weddings, corporate events, or elegant banquets, she learned how to plan ahead, balance flavors for large crowds, and ensure every dish was as beautifully presented as it was delicious.
Her career path took another unexpected turn when she began working as the Administrator of the Lieutenant Governor’s reception room at the Texas State Capitol, where she served breakfast, lunch, and catered events for senators and officials. This job gave her firsthand experience in large-scale food preparation and hospitality—skills that would stay with her for years to come.
After ten years at the Texas Lt. Governors Reception room, she switched gears entirely, moving into photography. She built a successful wedding photography business, running it from the studio above their garage. Though she moved on from food service, her love for creating meaningful experiences never faded, especially when it came to the kitchen.
Kitchen Essentials: Her Go-To Tools & Ingredients
Through all her experiences, my mom has developed a list of tried-and-true kitchen essentials. When it comes to seasonings, she swears by Himalayan sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, basil, rosemary, oregano, and thyme—simple but versatile spices that elevate any dish. She also prioritizes organic spices, knowing that non-organic varieties can contain hidden contaminants. Most of these herbs they grow in their own garden.
One of her best kitchen hacks ~ She buys fresh garlic, chops it, and freezes it in ice cube trays with just a little water, so she always has fresh garlic ready to cook with.
As for kitchen gadgets, a few stand out:
- Immersion blender – Perfect for creamy soups and gravies.
- Stand mixer – Essential for baking, especially her sourdough bread.
- Air fryer – Her latest favorite, making meals quick and easy.
- A good set of knives – Always kept sharp
And lately, she’s been enjoying her juicer, using everything from beets and celery to pineapple, berries, and fresh ginger for a healthy, refreshing start to the day
Cracking pecans with Mom for our annual tradition of mini pecan pies and pralines. Living in an old pecan orchard in Marble Falls, my parents’ yard is filled with fresh pecans each year—perfect for sharing with family and friends each holiday season!
RV Life: Cooking & Traveling on the Road
These days, my mom and dad spend three to four months a year traveling in their RV, exploring national parks, fishing in mountain streams, and living life on the road. But even while traveling, they prioritize home-cooked meals.
To make RV cooking easier, she preps and freezes meals ahead of time, ensuring they’re neatly stacked and organized in the small freezer for easy access. For snacks on hikes, she and my dad rely on homemade trail mix, crackers, and cheese.
When it comes to meals, their favorites include:
- Chili & stews – Perfect for make-ahead and freezing.
- Lasagna – Easy to freeze and reheat in small portions.
- Chicken spaghetti or spaghetti squash with sausage – Adaptable based on what’s on hand.
- Soups – Broccoli, potato, and veggie-based soups are staples.
- Fresh fish – Whenever Dad catches them, they cook them that same night.
Mom also shops at local farmers markets wherever they travel, picking up local honey, spreads, and fresh produce to enjoy along the way. Meal prep and planning have been essential in helping them eat well while embracing the freedom of life on the road.
My mom has always prioritized staying active, dedicating herself to yoga three times a week with unwavering commitment. She also takes daily walks with Bailey, their dog, ensuring she gets fresh air and exercise. Her love for gardening keeps her moving, too, as she spends time tending to her plants, staying connected to nature while keeping her body in motion.
Mom's Wisdom for Young Moms in the Kitchen
After decades of cooking for her family, my mom has learned a few things that every young mom could benefit from.
Clean as you go. She insists that keeping a tidy kitchen makes cooking so much easier. Before starting a new dish, always put away what you used for the last one.
- Meal prep saves time. She’s not afraid to buy pre-cut fruits and veggies when life gets busy. And she always keeps frozen organic vegetables (like broccoli and green beans) on hand for quick sides.
- Food safety is key. After taking a state health course, she became extra mindful about cross-contamination—always cleaning surfaces, washing hands after handling raw meat, and never letting raw chicken touch vegetables.
- Cook in steps. Whether making juice, salad, or a full dinner, she takes out all ingredients first, then cleans up after each stage before moving on.
- Use quality tools. Having sharp knives, an immersion blender, and a good stand mixer makes cooking more efficient and enjoyable.
Most importantly, she’s dedicated to passing down her kitchen wisdom to the next generation. Whether it’s teaching her grandkids the joy of cooking or offering gentle guidance to young moms, she believes in empowering others to embrace the heart of cooking—nourishing both the body and the soul.
My Final Thoughts
Through every phase of her life—whether working at Camp Tejas, running a catering business at Green Pastures, cooking at the Texas State Capitol, traveling in her RV, or making home-cooked meals for her family—my mom’s approach to food has been consistent: simple, well-planned, and full of love.
But The Art of Nourishment is about more than just cooking; it’s about the way food connects us, the love infused into every meal, and the lessons passed down from one generation to the next. My mom has always understood this. Her kitchen isn’t just a place to prepare food—it’s where wisdom is shared, memories are created, and traditions are kept alive. Whether she’s stretching a meal to feed a crowd, passing down a favorite recipe, or reminding us to clean as we go, she teaches by doing, leading with both skill and heart.
Her meals are more than nourishment; they are love served on a plate, a legacy that will continue long after the last dish is cleared. And that is The Art of Nourishment.