My name’s Anna , and I’m a 33 year old chef born and raised in the heart of Missouri. My love for cooking began long before I ever stepped into a professional kitchen it started in my grandmother’s cozy farmhouse kitchen, where the smell of cornbread, fried chicken, and garden tomatoes filled the air. She taught me that food isn’t just something you eat; it’s something you feel. I remember standing on a stool beside her, stirring a pot of beans and learning that a good meal takes time, patience, and heart.
How It All Started
My first real job was washing dishes at a local diner hardly glamorous, but I loved it. From that little corner behind the sink, I watched how a kitchen came alive during the lunch rush: the clatter of pans, the quick shouts, the laughter between orders. I knew then that I belonged in that world. Over the years, I worked my way up through restaurants across Missouri from small town cafés to bustling kitchens in St. Louis and Kansas City. Each place taught me something new: discipline, creativity, and the beauty of imperfection.
These days, my cooking style is what I like to call Midwestern soul with a curious twist. I love the comfort and nostalgia of Missouri flavors smoky ribs, fresh sweet corn, biscuits you can’t stop eating but I’m equally drawn to experimenting with new techniques and global influences. One week I might be perfecting my barbecue sauce, the next I’m trying out Thai-inspired glazes or making fresh pasta from scratch.
For me, food has always been about connection. I love cooking for people whether it’s a class full of home cooks, a room full of fellow chefs, or a group of friends gathered around my backyard table. There’s something magical about watching a dish bring people together, spark conversation, and create memories that linger long after the last bite.
I’ve had my fair share of kitchen mishaps from burning a cake during a live demo to accidentally setting off a smoke alarm during a pop-up dinner but honestly, those moments remind me why I love what I do. Cooking isn’t about perfection; it’s about joy, creativity, and the courage to keep experimenting.
Now, I run a small catering business here in Missouri, focusing on local ingredients and seasonal flavors. Whether it’s trout from the Ozarks, fresh-picked peaches, or wild mushrooms after a spring rain, I try to let the land speak through my food. Every meal I make is a little love letter to where I come from warm, grounded, and full of heart.
So if you ever find yourself in my kitchen, don’t expect anything fancy just real food, made with passion, a little bit of laughter, and a whole lot of love.
Connect With Me
I love hearing from you guys! If you have questions about a recipe or just want to share your latest baking success, feel free to reach out. You can find me at:
info@recipesfoodi.com