Hi, I’m Barbara Curry, creator of Butter & Baggage and Easy Southern Desserts, Southern food enthusiast, and former attorney turned full-time food blogger. I’ve always believed that food tells a story, and I’m so glad you’re here to be part of mine.
From Courtroom to Kitchen
I spent most of my career practicing law, representing injured workers in workers’ compensation cases. After earning degrees from Asbury College, the University of Kentucky (MPH), and Wake Forest Law School, I settled into life and work in North Carolina, where I’ve now lived for over 38 years. I started the blog in 2014 and in 2023, I took early retirement to pursue something I’ve always loved: cooking, writing, and sharing recipes with people who love comfort food as much as I do.
My Southern Roots Run Deep
I started baking in high school, flipping through my mom’s worn-out Betty Crocker cookbook and learning the basics by making cookies from scratch. When I married my husband, Mike, (a Kentucky native), I was lucky enough to gain not just a partner, but a mother-in-law who was a phenomenal cook. She introduced me to the heart of Southern food, and I soaked up every tip she had to share.
Butter & Baggage is where I mix those family traditions with fresh inspiration from our travels. Whether we’re exploring the Carolinas or hopping across the country, I always return home with new ideas, and they almost always end up in a skillet or pie dish.
Real Life, Real Food
I focus on recipes that are doable but memorable, Southern classics with a twist, seasonal desserts, easy weeknight meals, and a few showstoppers for when you feel like going all out. Nothing fussy or complicated, just really good food you’ll want to make again and again.
A Little More About Me
We have two grown daughters, Taylor and Natalie, and a son-in-law, Tom. We love to travel, especially when good food is involved. I find so much joy in learning how others cook, then blending those flavors into dishes that still feel like home.
Let’s Stay in Touch
If you love Southern food with a personal touch, you’ll fit right in. Join my newsletter for weekly recipes, kitchen tips, and a peek behind the scenes.
Want to up your biscuit or pie game? Grab one of my ebooks:
🥐 Flaky, Buttery, Perfect: The Art of Biscuits and Rolls
🥧 How to Make a Better Pie
Read more about Butter & Baggage here.