AboutAly

 My culinary journey started soon after college and was inspired by my dad, who used to visit from New Zealand for a few months at a time. First thing every morning he would ask me, “What’s for dinner tonight, Aly?” I would look at him like he was crazy—it was only 8 am! But at night, we would have a glass of wine and cook together, and pretty soon I found that I, too, woke up thinking about dinner. I lost my dad in 2013, but I still feel close to him when I cook. In the mornings, my oldest son asks, “Mom, what’s for dinner tonight?” and I can’t help but smile. 

In 2016 I started my food blog after 20 years of cooking experience, I’m always looking for new ways to adapt and elevate everyday recipes with fresh takes and diverse influences. I love exploring different types of cuisines and incorporating the different ingredients and techniques of various flavor profiles. 

Sharing my recipes and experiences through my blog has allowed me to discover and contribute to a larger community, which has led to some truly amazing opportunities. As a Chef Ambassador for Hestan Culinary, I’ve done culinary demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma stores and other retailers around the Bay Area, and have created culinary technique videos along with recipes for their brand. In 2018, I was featured by The Chew on their You and the Chew Recipe Showdown and was thrilled when my recipe won—watching Chef Michael Symon take a bite of my Carnitas Street Tacos and gush over their flavor was a pretty exciting moment. Later that year, the same recipe was featured on GMA in a segment with Gordon Ramsay. Not long after, I was invited by GMA to cook with my husband in a live segment promoting Ayesha Curry’s new show, Family Food Fight (which we won!). It’s all been such a fun and crazy ride, and I’m so grateful to be able to share these experiences with my husband and children.  

I also work as a private chef, specializing in dinner parties for events and occasions like milestone birthdays, baby/bridal showers, and school auction parties, which I donate to our local schools every year. Because I’m always striving to improve, I love the challenge of creating new dishes and preparing old favorites in new ways.

I’ve even entered (and won!) a few recipe contests over the years:

My involvement with organizations that give back to the community is especially important to me, and every year I host an Annual Friendsgiving to benefit No Kid Hungry. I’ve also been a culinary volunteer with World Central Kitchen, helping to feed fire victims, evacuees and first responders during the Napa fires. During COVID, I was invited to contribute an original recipe to “The Quarantine Collective” e-cookbook, developed by producers at the Today Show.  All benefits went to benefit the James Beard Foundation’s “Open for Good” campaign to help independent restaurants rebuild after COVID.