Hi there! I’m Angel Thompson, a 38-year-old self-taught chef living in Asheville, North Carolina. My kitchen has always been my playground, my sanctuary, and—more often than not—a glorious, flour-dusted mess. I didn’t go to culinary school, and I’ve never worked in a fancy restaurant. Instead, I learned to cook the way many of you probably did—watching my grandmother stir Sunday gravy with one hand and sip sweet tea with the other, experimenting with new recipes after the kids were asleep, and falling down the occasional Pinterest rabbit hole at midnight.
Cooking, for me, is about connection. It’s about standing barefoot in the kitchen, music playing, and the smell of garlic sizzling in olive oil while my two boys run around the house. It’s about making the same cornbread my mom made for Thanksgiving every year, even though I’ve probably messed up the recipe a dozen times. And it’s about being brave enough to try a Thai curry from scratch or finally nailing that elusive sourdough crust—even if it takes ten tries and a few burnt fingers.
I’ve always loved how food can bring people together, whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a quiet Tuesday dinner for one. Over time, I started sharing my kitchen experiments on Instagram, and to my surprise, other home cooks started following along. I think what resonated most was my honesty. I don’t pretend every dish comes out perfect. Sometimes the cake sinks. Sometimes the pasta sticks. But that’s part of the joy, isn’t it?
My cooking philosophy is simple: good food doesn’t have to be complicated. I like meals that feel like hugs—hearty stews, buttery biscuits, roasted veggies straight from the garden. I’ll try just about anything once, but I always come back to comfort food with a twist—like mac and cheese with smoked paprika and caramelized onions, or my latest obsession: lemon-thyme fried chicken.
To all the home cooks out there—especially the ones who doubt themselves—I see you. You don’t need a six-burner stove or a pantry full of imported spices to make something beautiful. You just need heart, a bit of curiosity, and the willingness to laugh when things go sideways. That’s where the magic happens.
Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the kitchen. Let’s cook something unforgettable together.