Hi there—I’m Diane Marlow, and if you’re reading this, we probably already share something close to my heart: a love for honest, comforting food. I’m 44 years old and live in Asheville, North Carolina, where the mountains meet a long tradition of southern hospitality and homegrown flavor.
My story with cooking didn’t start in culinary school or behind the scenes of some glossy restaurant. It started in my grandmother’s kitchen—her flour-dusted hands, the smell of cornbread in a cast iron skillet, and the way she could make a whole room hush with just one slice of her peach cobbler. As a little girl, I sat at the table swinging my legs, watching and learning. She cooked with soul, and without measuring cups. I guess you could say I inherited both her curiosity and her habit of “eyeballing” ingredients.
I’ve never been one to chase perfection in the kitchen. My philosophy? If it’s made with love, a little butter, and maybe a dash of cayenne, it’s going to turn out just fine. I’ve had my share of flops—ask my husband about the time I tried to make sourdough from scratch and ended up with something better suited as a doorstop. But those stumbles taught me to laugh, to adjust, and to try again. Cooking, like life, doesn’t always follow the recipe.
Over the years, I’ve worn a few hats: teacher, mom, and more recently, weekend farmer’s market regular. But food has always been the common thread. Whether it’s a pot of chili simmering during football season or fresh-baked biscuits served to my book club, I find so much joy in feeding people. There’s something sacred in the act of gathering, passing dishes, and swapping stories across the table.
I started sharing my recipes online not to impress anyone, but to invite folks in—especially home cooks like me who are passionate, curious, and not afraid to get a little messy. If you’ve ever overbaked a pie, underseasoned a stew, or stared at your pantry wondering what the heck to make with canned beans and rice—welcome. You’re in the right kitchen.
So pull up a chair. Let’s cook something good together.