Hi there, y’all! I’m Nova, a 43-year-old Texan born and raised under the big skies of Amarillo. If there’s one thing that defines me, it’s my love of cooking and the joy it brings to the people I care about. Growing up, I spent more time in my mama’s kitchen than anywhere else, watching her flip cast iron cornbread and stir pots of chili that could clear your sinuses in the best way. Food was how we celebrated, how we comforted, and how we showed love.
I didn’t go to culinary school, but I reckon I got the next best thing—years of hands-on training from my family, church potlucks, and every backyard barbecue from here to Lubbock. Over time, I started putting my own spin on the classics, blending Southern comfort with a little curiosity and a lot of heart. My smoked brisket tacos with peach salsa? Pure magic, if I may say so myself.
Now I live just outside of Austin with my husband and our two dogs, Honey and Pickles. My kitchen is my happy place, and nothing makes me feel more alive than sharing a meal I’ve made with someone who appreciates it. I started teaching casual cooking classes a few years back for fun, and it turned into something beautiful. Home cooks, food lovers, folks who had never even cracked an egg before—seeing them light up when they nailed their first gumbo or pecan pie? That lit a fire in me.
I believe food doesn’t have to be fancy to be fantastic. It’s all about flavor, love, and a willingness to get a little messy. I share my recipes with the same spirit my mama passed them to me—with warmth, stories, and a few splatters of sauce. So whether you’re trying to impress your in-laws with a Texas sheet cake or just want to whip up a weeknight dinner that doesn’t come from a box, I’m right here cheering you on.
Welcome to my kitchen, y’all. Let’s cook up something unforgettable together.