Hi there—thanks for stopping by my kitchen corner. My name’s Ellie Mae Carter, I’m 30 years old, and I live in a cozy little farmhouse just outside Asheville, North Carolina. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a southern girl with a big heart and a bigger appetite falls head over heels for home cooking, well… you’re looking at it.
I didn’t grow up in a fancy culinary school or behind the doors of five-star kitchens. I learned the way most of us do—by watching, by trying, by failing spectacularly, and then by trying again. My first real “recipe” was a peach cobbler I made with my grandma when I was eight. We burned the crust and forgot the sugar, but we ate it anyway, laughing so hard our sides ached. That moment stuck with me. Cooking, to me, has always been about joy—imperfect, messy, deeply satisfying joy.
Over the years, I’ve taught myself by following handwritten recipe cards, flipping through church cookbooks, and—yes—watching a whole lot of cooking shows while scribbling notes on napkins. I’m not a professional chef, and I don’t pretend to be. I’m a home cook just like you, learning every day, finding new ways to turn everyday ingredients into something that makes people smile around the dinner table.
One thing I believe to my core is that anyone—anyone—can cook. You don’t need fancy tools or rare ingredients. What you need is a little courage, a dash of curiosity, and a whole lot of heart. I’ve had my share of kitchen disasters (ask my husband about the Great Meatloaf Meltdown of 2017), but every flop has taught me something better than a perfect dish ever could.
I started this little cooking blog and online presence to share my favorite recipes, little tricks I’ve picked up along the way, and to remind you that you’re not alone in your cooking journey. Whether you’re making your first batch of biscuits or trying to recreate your mom’s chicken pot pie, I’m right here cheering you on, spatula in hand.
So grab a cup of coffee, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make something delicious together. Mistakes welcome. Second helpings guaranteed.
—Ellie Mae