About

I was born and raised in the college town of Auburn, Alabama — often referred to as the heart of Dixie — with family spread from the swampy bayous of Louisiana to the rocky-topped Carolinas. If you’re from the South, you know traditions run deep. Sweet tea, soul food and SEC football are not only revered, they’re religion.

It seems I took all of that famous hospitality for granted though, because three years ago I moved across the country to sunny Los Angeles to “live the dream” (but no, I’m not an actress). It took uprooting my entire life to realize just how deep my roots actually go. And while I love the perpetual SoCal sunshine and cool beach breezes, sometimes I deeply long for just a bit of that ol’ Southern comfort.

So now I spend my days in the kitchen, cooking (and eating) up a storm.  I have fallen in love with all forms of Southern cookery, and it has become my mission to share it with the world. After all, it would be a shame to keep it all to myself!

And in true Southern tradition, I like to eat by the seasons. Fresh and local isn’t such a new concept, you know. I’m lucky enough to have access to the bountiful California farmers’ markets, and I encourage you to seek out markets wherever you live. But Campbell’s lovers do not fear — casserole cookin’ is just as much a part of my past as heirloom tomato vines. You’ll still find plenty of Cream of Mushroom around here.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet. Y’all come back now, you hear.

Warmest Regards,

Nealey