Founder of Butter & Baggage, sharing from-scratch Southern recipes you can trust.
What I’m known for
I develop and photograph every recipe on this site myself, and I test each one until it works exactly as written. I’m known for casseroles and sides, the dishes that show up at Sunday dinner, potlucks, and holidays. My goal is simple: give you a recipe you can trust and the confidence to make it your own.
My story
My Southern roots started in high school, learning to bake from my mom’s worn Betty Crocker cookbook. When I got married, I gained a mother-in-law who was a phenomenal cook, and she taught me the heart of Southern food. I spent years practicing law before I retired in 2023 to cook full time. Butter & Baggage started as something I did on the side, and it grew into the work I do now every day. The shift from law to recipe development wasn’t as big a leap as it sounds, both jobs reward getting the details right.
Why my approach works
I bring the same care I used in law to recipe testing: careful, thorough, and unwilling to publish something that isn’t right yet. Every recipe goes through multiple rounds in my own kitchen before it goes on the site. I’m not interested in a recipe that mostly works. I want one that works every time.
What I believe
Food is meant to be shared, not just made. From-scratch is worth the extra effort, and it shouldn’t feel intimidating to get there. If a recipe isn’t good enough for my own family’s table, it doesn’t get published.
Outside the kitchen
When I’m not developing recipes, I’m spending time with my husband, my two daughters, and my son-in-law, who are always willing to tell me when something isn’t quite right yet.
A few of my favorites
- Biscuits and Gravy Casserole. There’s nothing better than Southern biscuits and gravy, and this one feeds a crowd.
- Baked Beans. A family recipe from my mom. No cookout is complete without them.
- Macaroni Salad. Made with mayo and sour cream so it’s not too tart.
- Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes. The creamiest you’ll find.
- Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole. A family favorite with a cornbread crust.
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