Let me take you back for a second: It’s the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and life is… bleak, to say the least. But as you scroll through your TikTok or Instagram feeds, one comforting, smiling face sticks out: the internet’s favorite grandma, preparing some delectable meal and absolutely radiating positivity that helps to remind you that everything will be okay.
For me, Brunch With Babs, aka Barbara Costello, was a breath of fresh air when she rose to fame on social media during the pandemic, thanks to her family recipes, wise advice, and overall grandmother-like demeanor. It’s clear she resonated with more than just myself—she boasts an impressive 3.4 million followers on Instagram and 3.9 million on TikTok.
I can now attest that she is just as warm and bubbly in person, as I recently had the opportunity to meet her (and give her a giant hug of thanks) at QVC’s Q50 Summit. The first-of-its-kind event brought together 50 incredible women over the age of 50 to celebrate aging as an opportunity to dream about the experiences they have not yet had—an age of possibility if you will, instead of feeling “over the hill.”
“I’m so honored to have been included,” Costello says. “I can attest that it is an age of possibilities, because I would have thought this would be impossible a few years ago.”
During our conversation, there was one burning question on my mind: What is the one kitchen appliance she uses every day that she thinks everyone should own? After years of watching her churn out fabulous-looking recipes, I needed to know her secret so I could channel my inner-Brunch With Babs in the kitchen, and she was kind enough to give me the 411.
“I cannot bake without my kitchen scale,” Costello says. “And even if I’m making meatballs, I want to make them all the same on the outside using my kitchen scale. I’ve gone through so many, I can’t tell you.”
This revelation felt like an aha-moment. Of course she used a scale to ensure all her beautiful creations looked the same (I just thought she had the magic touch)—just look at these perfectly portioned meatballs. Costello noted that it’s certainly not a tool people think about, but she recommends it for any aspiring home chef. BRB, grabbing one in royal blue so I can recreate her lemon bars ASAP.
