a 42-year-old chef nestled in the heart of Asheville, North Carolina, where the mountains are as full of character as the food we make here.
Cooking has always been the rhythm of my life a steady, soulful beat that started in my grandmother’s kitchen and never let up. I can still remember being barely tall enough to peek over the counter, sneaking bites of raw biscuit dough and watching Nana whip up her famous buttermilk pies with a grace that could rival any ballet. She believed food should feel like a warm hug, and I carry that with me in everything I make. My style isn’t fussy or highbrow. It’s homegrown, heartfelt, and often just a little bit messy like life. I didn’t go to a fancy culinary school. I went to the school of burnt toast and too-salty soups, of potlucks where the mac and cheese vanished in five minutes, and of late-night experiments that turned into breakfast favorites.
My kitchen is my laboratory, my sanctuary, and sometimes my comedy stage especially when the bread doesn’t rise or the dog steals a meatball.
Over the years, I’ve taught community cooking classes, hosted backyard dinner parties that lasted well past midnight, and even poured my heart into writing a few locally loved recipe zines. Each of those experiences shaped the way I see food not just as nourishment, but as a way of weaving people together.

I’ve always believed that the magic of cooking lies in the details: coaxing flavor out of simple, seasonal ingredients and showing folks that good food doesn’t have to be complicated to be extraordinary. My go-to comfort dish? A golden, flaky chicken pot pie with a rosemary-infused crust and a tangy side of something pickled because I believe every bite deserves a little surprise, a spark that makes the whole plate sing. For me, cooking is connection. It’s the language I use to say “I love you,” “I’m sorry,” or simply “I’m here.” That’s the spirit behind everything I share here at Taste Trend a space dedicated to recipes, stories, and kitchen inspiration that bring warmth to everyday tables. Whether you’re a beginner learning your first knife skills or a seasoned home cook searching for a fresh spark, I want this space to feel like a trusted friend in your kitchen.