Boiled Steamed Fried Baked

Hi there! I’m Ellie Harper, a 42-year-old homegrown chef living in the heart of Asheville, North Carolina. My kitchen is my sanctuary, and food is my love language. If you’re a home cook like me, you know the joy of bringing people together over a warm, hearty meal—especially when it’s made from scratch and seasoned with a little bit of soul.

I didn’t start out in a culinary school or bustling restaurant kitchen. Nope, my classroom was my grandmother’s kitchen, where I learned the magic of butter, the importance of patience, and the art of improvising when you realize you forgot to buy the parsley. She made the simplest dishes taste extraordinary, and more importantly, she made cooking feel like home.

Over the years, I’ve worn many hats—bookstore clerk, high school teacher, even a florist for a short stint—but I always came back to cooking. It started with weekend potlucks, then holiday feasts, and before I knew it, I was running a local supper club out of my home. Nothing fancy, just good people, fresh ingredients, and flavors that tell a story.

My cooking style is deeply rooted in Southern comfort, but I love adding unexpected twists. Think collard green pesto, bourbon-glazed salmon, or sweet potato gnocchi with sage butter. I believe recipes are just starting points—a place to begin your own adventure. Some of my best dishes came from happy accidents, like the time I mistook cayenne for paprika (let’s just say it was a spicy surprise!).

To me, cooking is about connection. It’s about laughing when the biscuits burn, dancing around the kitchen to 90s tunes, and sharing something real with the people you love. That’s why I joined wetryrecipes.com—to test a whole array of recipes for you and bring you only the best. If I can inspire just one home cook to put a little more heart into their meals, then I’ve done my job.

So welcome to my world. Grab an apron, pour yourself a sweet tea, and let’s make something delicious together.