Hi, I’m Jessica Monroe, and if you’re anything like me, the kitchen is more than a room it’s where memories are made, mistakes are celebrated, and flavors come to life.
I’m a 35-year-old home cook born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, where the scent of home-cooked meals and the chatter around the kitchen table shaped my earliest memories. My love for food began with my grandmother, who made magic out of simple ingredients her flakiest pie crusts are still legendary in our family.
grew up standing on a stool beside her, hands dusted in flour, learning not just how to cook, but how to nourish. That spark eventually took me to New York City, where I received classical culinary training rooted in French technique. It was intense, inspiring, and gave me a deep respect for the craft of cooking.
But life has a way of bringing us back to what truly matters.
After years in fast-paced restaurant kitchens, I returned home not just to Asheville, but to the kind of food that feeds both body and soul. These days, I focus on creating wholesome, protein-packed meals for the people I love: my husband, our two energetic kids, and our golden retriever, Maple, who’s always nearby in case a bite falls to the floor.
Our kitchen is rarely quiet and never spotless, but it’s filled with love, laughter, and the smell of real food being made.
My passion now lies in healthy cooking meals that fuel busy days without sacrificing flavor or joy. I especially love crafting high-protein recipes that are family-friendly, satisfying, and nourishing. Whether it’s a skillet of herb-roasted chicken and quinoa, a veggie-loaded lentil soup, or protein pancakes we make on Sunday mornings, I believe that food can be both comforting and good for you.
I’m also obsessed with vibrant drinks that make you feel your best — like my go-to pineapple-spinach-lime smoothie or the chamomile tea I sip during cozy evenings.
Not everything turns out perfectly (I once used salt instead of sugar in protein muffins), but I’ve learned that even the “oops” moments are part of the journey.
When I’m not cooking, you’ll likely find me at the local farmer’s market chatting with growers, flipping through a well-worn cookbook, or jotting down wild recipe ideas my kids dream up like blueberry spaghetti (we haven’t gone that far… yet).
So if you’re a fellow home cook looking for inspiration, nutritious recipes, and a bit of real-life messiness, you’re in the right place. Grab your coffee, stay awhile, and let’s cook something vibrant and delicious together.