About chef alex
I’m a certified foodie, proud cat mom, and total travel junkie, mostly based in the Queen City (iykyk), but you can also catch me in NYC, MVY, or Paris depending on the season. I’m all about the good life: living well, eating well, and inspiring you to do the same!
When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll catch me hanging out with my royal feline, Cleocatra (yes, she’s as diva-ish as she sounds), hunting for vintage cookbooks, planning my next trip, or simply living my best life tasting my way through every bakery and farmer’s market in sight.
I’m Alex, your Chief Flavor Officer and guide to all things delicious. As a self-proclaimed foodie, food is more than just fuel—it’s my passion and way of life! My culinary journey began young, bonding with my mom in the kitchen and watching wayyyyy too much Food Network. After years of collecting recipes, I finally started this blog to share (mostly) easy, tasty dishes that bring joy to your table and might even get you dancing as you eat! My path here wasn’t straight (peep the timeline below), but now I get to live my dream life every day: testing and sharing new recipes here wit you, eating amazing food, and traveling a bit more than my wallet would like.
On this blog, I blend my loves of science, health, food, and travel. Living well is my mantra, and I aim to inspire you to chase flavors, explore the world, and savor each moment one delicious bite at a time. And because I love to share, you’ll find more than recipes here—check out my favorite kitchen tools, food brands, treats, travel tales, and lifestyle tips. Don’t miss the product pages with meal plans, eCookbooks, and more!
From my kitchen to yours, my content is a call to all who share a slice of my story or a deep-seated love for food, and the desire to explore, experiment, and perhaps, break free to pursue their own passions. So, whether you’re looking for your next favorite meal, seeking inspiration from my travel tales, or simply want to learn more about cooking and eating well, you’ve found your place. Welcome friend!
If you’re ready to break free from the mundane and dive into a world where food is fun, flavors are bold, and life is an endless buffet of possibilities, you’re in the right spot. Let’s cook up some kitchen magic on the flavor train (so corny, I know, but I couldn’t resist!). Mostly wallet-friendly, with a dash of product junkie—sorry, not sorry!
Ready to join the flavor revolution? Put on your apron, grab your whisk, and let’s go make some magic!
Your fave foodies,
Alex & Cleo
How it all started…
2014: I graduated college! I might be aging myself, but St. Louis is a hidden foodie gem—go WashU! Initially torn between law and medicine, I found law a bit easier to pursue. So, I moved to NYC and started working at a big firm to test the waters.
2015
I moved to Philadelphia to pursue my first love, medicine, but instead, I fell in love with the local food scene.
I was born a foodie, but it was Philly that first sparked my thoughts of, “What would it be like to pursue food full-time?” Quickly followed by, “Maybe when I retire.” Wild, right?
2017-2018: I worked between the legal and medical spheres, along with a few other random odd jobs, really trying to find myself and my purpose. I realized law wasn’t for me, but my passion for healthcare persisted. Sadly, medical schools didn’t feel the same. I was devastated.
2020
When the pandemic hit, I found myself cooking every day for what felt like an entire year—and that part was amazing. I started collecting photos for a blog or social media but chickened out. The fear was (and is) real, y’all!
However, the food was incredible, and I knew I would write a cookbook one day. TBD on the timing, but we’re manifesting it here and now! (Hint! Hint! to any publishers reading this, haha.) This year marked a big mental pivot for me, and of course, for the rest of the world too!
check out my book reccs – perfect for when you need a little mind mojo!
2021: I moved to the Queen City, aka Charlotte, NC, and earned my Master’s Degree—I’m a nerd at heart y’all. Go Wake Forest Biomed! I was back on the medicine train, but this time things felt different. I started to gain clarity on what I truly wanted my life to look like—call it wisdom or the daily reminders from the death toll. It worked! I realized just how precious time is.
2022
I got hired and then laid off from what seemed like my dream gig. That was my first big girl salary, but definitely not my last—we’re manifesting, remember? There were a LOT of tears, but then I decided to cry with a view and traveled all over the globe. Hello, France, Uganda, and Egypt!
Check out my travel guides!
2023
This year, I chose ME and decided to pursue my dreams unapologetically. I started working at The Foodie School in Fort Mill, SC—if you’re local, check it out! I also began taking formal culinary classes. The travel bug is real, and I hit a few more gems: Hawaii and Ecuador!
2024
This is the year I mustered up the courage to live a whole lot louder (internally freaking out the whole time—shout out to my mom for the free therapy!). I started a catering company and dove into the digital world to craft social media posts and this little food blog—thank you, YouTube University!
The rest is yet to be written, but I’m so excited to see what’s next! I hope this timeline inspires you to see that your quiet dreams and biggest accomplishments are not only possible, but just waiting to be realized. They may also live just on the other side of that big no, devastating rejection, or layoff. My motto: everything happens for you, not to you. In short, the best is yet to come, babes!
Now, let’s get into the really good stuff! Stay awhile and check out some of my favorite recipes and products. And if nothing else, I hope you eat something out of this world AMAZING today!