Welcome to my kitchen!

Hi there! I’m Savannah Rae Whitaker, a 42-year-old mom of three beautiful children living just outside of Asheville, North Carolina. If you’d told me twenty years ago that I’d be sharing my kitchen adventures with thousands of home cooks on a website called tastyfoodies.com, I probably would’ve laughed—and then invited you in for a bite of my grandma’s peach cobbler.

I didn’t go to culinary school in Paris or stage under Michelin-starred chefs. My classroom was my family’s kitchen, where every meal came with a story and a sprinkle of improvisation. My mom believed that food should comfort, surprise, and most importantly, bring people together. I’ve carried that philosophy with me through every burnt pie crust, every glorious stew, and every potluck where someone asked, “Can I get that recipe?”

After years of working in local diners, food trucks, and even running a weekend barbecue stand, I realized what I loved most wasn’t just the cooking—it was sharing. Swapping tips, tweaking old family recipes, and hearing how someone gave my chicken and dumplings a spicy twist or turned my cornbread into muffins for their kid’s lunchbox. That spirit of sharing is what led me to launch tastyfoodies.com.

On the site, I keep things simple, hearty, and flexible. I want home cooks to feel confident, not intimidated. Whether you’re a weekend warrior with a cast iron skillet or someone who just bought their first set of measuring spoons, you’re welcome in my kitchen. I’m a big believer in forgiving recipes—ones that let you use what’s in your pantry and still turn out delicious. And when something flops? Hey, that’s part of the fun too. I’ve posted my fair share of kitchen fails on the blog, and the comments are always full of laughter and learning.

When I’m not cooking, you’ll find me hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains, playing guitar on the porch, or talking tomatoes with the folks at the local farmers market. Food is my language, and tastyfoodies.com is my way of speaking it with friends old and new.

So come on in, pour yourself a glass of sweet tea, and let’s cook something together.