About Chef Clara

Hi there—I’m Clara, and I’m 45 years old, currently living in the rolling hills of Asheville, North Carolina, though my roots stretch back to a tiny town in upstate New York where snow piled high and kitchens stayed warm year-round.

I’ve always believed the heart of any home beats loudest in the kitchen. My earliest memories are tied to the smell of my grandmother’s cast-iron skillet sizzling with bacon on a Sunday morning, the way my dad would carefully slice apples for pie, and my mom’s chaotic but joyful holiday feasts. Those moments weren’t just about food—they were about love, storytelling, and togetherness. That’s the feeling I try to bring to every dish I make.

I didn’t go to culinary school, unless you count the countless hours spent over open cookbooks, scribbled notes on napkins, and hands-on experiments that didn’t always go as planned (remind me to tell you about the salt-instead-of-sugar cake incident someday). My kitchen education came from trial and error, and honestly, that’s why I love talking to other home cooks. We’ve all been there—burned toast, soggy pie crusts, under-seasoned stews—but we keep cooking because it means something.

Over the years, my style has evolved into what I lovingly call “comfort food with curiosity.” I adore old-school meatloaf, but I’ve also thrown miso into mashed potatoes and wasn’t mad about it. I like to play with flavors, borrow from different cultures, and still keep things approachable for a busy Tuesday night. To me, recipes are like roadmaps with optional scenic routes. You don’t need fancy tools or ingredients to cook something soulful—you just need a willingness to taste, tweak, and try again.

These days, I spend most mornings in the garden, gathering herbs and veggies, and evenings sharing recipes and stories online, hoping to inspire just one more person to say, “You know what, I think I’ll cook tonight.” Whether you’re making your first roast chicken or perfecting your grandma’s chili, I’m right there with you, cheering you on with flour on my shirt and a wooden spoon in hand.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the kitchen. Let’s keep cooking, learning, and loving through food—one delicious mess at a time.

You can reach me at [email protected], or follow along on social media for daily kitchen inspiration and new recipe ideas.

Thank you for being here. Let’s cook, learn, and make lasting memories—together.