Growing up in a small town on the coast of Maine, I was surrounded by the fresh catch of the day and the warmth of home cooking from an early age. My mother’s spirited approach to mealtimes—using whatever was in season or available in our fishing community—sparked my lifelong love for the kitchen. Whether I was mixing pie dough at nine years old or helping my grandfather prepare clam chowder, I’ve always felt happiest when creating something delicious.
After high school, I enrolled in a culinary arts program at a local community college while juggling shifts at a popular farm-to-table restaurant nearby. That formative experience taught me not just about flavors and technique, but also the power of hospitality to bring people together over a great meal.
Eager for new challenges, I headed south to Charleston, South Carolina, where I helped open a boutique eatery known for its inventive takes on Southern cuisine. It was a whirlwind adventure—late nights in the kitchen, early mornings at the farmers’ market, and countless lessons that shaped my style. While there, I also met my now-husband, who shared my obsession with creative comfort food.
A few years later, a job opportunity took us across the country to Seattle. Embracing the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant food scene—its fresh produce, local coffee culture, and bustling farmers’ markets—opened my eyes to even more ways to reinvent classic dishes. Juggling a growing family life has been equally rewarding and challenging, with my little one sometimes acting as an enthusiastic taste-tester (though not always, of course!).
Looking ahead, I’m working on launching a small-scale catering company focused on bringing elevated homemade meals to busy families. But in the meantime, Stumbling Goat Bistro is my playground—a place to share my evolving collection of recipes, kitchen tips, and everything I’ve learned along the way.
I hope you’ll enjoy trying these dishes as much as I love creating them. If you do give them a go, feel free to reach out with questions, suggestions, or your own twists. Cooking should be fun, flexible, and endlessly inspiring—so let’s explore it together!