Hi I’m Lora,

Hi there! I’m Lora Waters, a 34-year-old homegrown chef from Asheville, North Carolina, and I’m here to tell you that if you’ve ever burned toast or turned pasta into mush, you’re absolutely in the right place. I’ve been there. In fact, my first attempt at cooking involved a microwave, an egg, and a lot of cleaning up. But that’s where every good story starts with a mess and a little curiosity.

I didn’t go to culinary school, and I don’t have a wall full of shiny medals. What I do have is a lifelong love of food and the stubborn belief that anyone yes, anyone can learn to cook something delicious. My real training came from my grandmother’s cluttered kitchen, where she let me stir gravy, peel potatoes, and sneak tastes of biscuit dough when she thought I wasn’t looking. She taught me that good food doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be made with care.

I spent most of my twenties hopping between odd jobs, from barista to bookstore clerk, and wherever I went, I ended up behind a stove at some point cooking for roommates, coworkers, or just myself after a long shift. Eventually, I started sharing photos and stories of my meals online, and to my surprise, people started asking for recipes. Not gourmet stuff, but simple, hearty meals: skillet mac and cheese, cozy soups, homemade pancakes that actually turn out fluffy.

What I love most is helping beginners shake off that fear of messing up. Cooking isn’t about perfection it’s about learning to trust your senses, have some fun, and know that it’s okay if your first omelet turns into scrambled eggs. I try to keep things real: ingredients you can actually find, steps that make sense, and tips that help you get better without needing ten gadgets or a culinary dictionary.

Now I teach beginner-friendly classes and share easy-to-follow recipes online, always with a dose of encouragement and a story or two about the many flops and wins that got me here. If you’re just getting started, welcome. You don’t need a fancy knife or years of experience. You just need to take that first step and I’ll be here to help you every stir, flip, and sizzle of the way.

Let’s cook something together. Mistakes welcome. Joy guaranteed.