Hi there! I’m Emily Carter,
a 28-year-old chef born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, where the Blue Ridge Mountains frame both the skyline and my earliest food memories. I didn’t grow up in a professional kitchen I grew up in a home where the table was the center of everything. My grandmother believed that biscuits could fix almost anything, and my dad treated Sunday barbecue like a sacred ritual. Somewhere between flour-dusted countertops and the smell of slow-smoked Tuna, I found my calling.
My path into the culinary world wasn’t perfectly straight. I started out studying journalism, convinced I would tell stories with words. But I kept finding myself telling stories with food instead—hosting dinner parties in my tiny apartment, experimenting with farmers’ market produce, and scribbling recipes in the margins of my notebooks. Eventually, I listened to the quiet but persistent voice telling me I belonged in the kitchen. I enrolled in culinary school at 24, terrified and exhilarated all at once.
The professional kitchen humbled me quickly. I burned sauces, over-salted soups, and once sent out a dessert that collapsed before it reached the table. Those early mistakes taught me more than any textbook ever could. They taught me patience, respect for ingredients, and the importance of tasting as I go. Over time, I worked my way from line cook to executive chef, spending years in bustling restaurant kitchens from Charleston to Portland before returning home to North Carolina, where my heart always felt most grounded.
My cooking style is rooted in Southern tradition but shaped by curiosity. I love reimagining classics—adding a touch of miso to collard greens, infusing cornbread with roasted jalapeños, or pairing fried chicken with a bright citrus herb salad. I believe food should feel familiar but never boring. For me, cooking is a conversation between past and present, between comfort and surprise.
What matters most to me, though, isn’t perfection—it’s connection. Whether I’m teaching a beginner how to roast their first chicken, sharing advanced techniques with professional chefs, or helping busy families put together a weeknight dinner that feels special, I want people to feel confident and inspired. I know what it feels like to stand in front of a recipe and wonder if you can pull it off. I also know the joy of taking that first bite and realizing you absolutely can.
I cook for home cooks who want approachable guidance, for food enthusiasts who crave bold flavors, for professionals who appreciate thoughtful technique, and for families who simply want to gather around something delicious. My philosophy is simple: respect the ingredient, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Some of my favorite recipes were born from “mistakes” that turned into discoveries.
When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find me wandering a farmers’ market at sunrise, chatting with growers about heirloom tomatoes, or testing a new pie crust recipe while my dog waits patiently for crumbs. Cooking isn’t just my profession—it’s how I care for people. It’s how I celebrate, how I comfort, and how I stay curious.
If you’re here, you’re already part of my table. And whether you’re searing your first steak or perfecting a five-course menu, I’m honored to share this journey with you—one recipe, one story, and one beautifully imperfect meal at a time. 🍽️