Hi, I’m Laurel!
I never expected a wooden spoon could change my life. But there I was at age seven, standing on a stool in my grandma’s farmhouse kitchen, stirring a pot of her famous tomato sauce. The air was thick with the aroma of garlic and basil, and I remember Grandma Laurel (yes, I was named after her!) winking as she said, “Cooking is how we show love.” That afternoon I splattered red sauce on my favorite shirt and decided that the kitchen was my happy place. It’s the first chapter of my story – a little girl mesmerized by the magic of cooking, not knowing it was the start of a lifelong love affair with food.
This is me in my happy place, notebook open and raspberries at the ready. Even on the longest days, the simple act of crafting a recipe—whether I’m jotting down fresh ideas or actually stirring a pot of something delicious—brings me joy and comfort. I love capturing those bursts of inspiration on paper so I can share them with you later in the kitchen. Cooking isn’t just about feeding ourselves; it’s about creativity, community, and finding a moment of peace in the middle of a busy day.
Get to know more about me
Fast forward a couple of decades, and here I am today: a chef named Laurel who still feels most at home with a spoon in hand and a recipe in mind. In between, I’ve worn a few hats – I survived an office job where the highlight of my day was emailing my coworkers cupcake recipes, I trained at a culinary school to turn my passion into skills, and I even spent a summer in Tuscany learning how to make pasta from nonnas who spoke no English (we communicated through smiles and taste tests). Each twist in my journey reinforced what that little girl in the kitchen already knew: I’m meant to cook and to share that love of cooking with others. That’s why I started LaurelRecipes – to chronicle my food adventures and invite you into my kitchen, even if it’s through a computer screen.
a little bit of history
On LaurelRecipes, every recipe has a story. You’ll find the buttery blueberry scones I baked obsessively during college (therapy for exam stress, I call it), the zesty lemon-rosemary chicken inspired by a cafe on my first trip abroad, and the simple vegetable soup that once helped my best friend through a cold. I focus on comfort food with a fresh twist, using seasonal ingredients and plenty of love. Some days I’m whipping up healthy quinoa bowls; other days I’m elbow-deep in flour baking my dad’s favorite chocolate cake. Through it all, my goal is to make cooking fun and approachable – the kind of thing that brightens your day, not something daunting. If I wouldn’t serve it to my own family, you won’t find it on this blog. I promise to keep the recipes real, the tips helpful, and the stories honest.
Most importantly, I want you to feel at home here. I may be the one writing these recipes and stories, but LaurelRecipes is as much yours as it is mine. I love hearing from you – whether you’re a seasoned cook or you just burnt your first batch of cookies, feel free to share your kitchen wins and mishaps. (Seriously, those stories are the best!). When a reader tells me that one of my recipes brought their family together for dinner, it absolutely makes my day. It reminds me why I started this journey in the first place. So please, reach out in the comments, send me a message, or tag me on social media if you try a recipe. I’m here cheering you on.
Thank you for reading my story and for being part of this community. My kitchen is always open, and I hope you’ll stay a while and cook with me. Food is how we show love – that’s what Grandma taught me all those years ago – and I’m so grateful I get to share that love with you. Welcome to LaurelRecipes, from my heart and home to yours. Bon appétit and happy cooking!