Our History

Hi there! I’m Alana, and I’m so glad you’ve found your way to my little corner of the internet. I’m 46 years old, born and raised in the heart of North Carolina, and I’ve spent most of my life elbow-deep in flour, chopping herbs on a well-worn cutting board, and chasing that perfect balance of flavor that makes you close your eyes and smile after the first bite. Welcome to alanarecipes a place where comfort food meets curiosity, and the kitchen is always warm.

Cooking wasn’t always my calling. In fact, I spent a good part of my twenties and thirties climbing the corporate ladder, wearing blazers instead of aprons. But somewhere between Sunday family dinners and a kitchen that felt more like a sanctuary than a workspace, I started realizing that food wasn’t just about nourishment. It was about memory, connection, and joy. My mother used to say, “If you can feed someone well, you can make them feel at home.” That stuck with me. So, I rolled up my sleeves and decided to turn my passion into something real.

I’m not a classically trained chef, and I don’t have fancy certificates hanging on my walls. What I do have is a deep love for food and an endless hunger to learn. I’ve taken cooking classes in Italy, explored spice markets in Morocco, and swapped recipes with grandmothers in tiny towns across the U.S. I’ve burned more loaves of bread than I’d like to admit, cried over curdled custards, and still find myself grinning ear to ear when a new dish comes together just right.

This website was born out of that spirit—an invitation to slow down, experiment, and discover the joy of making something from scratch. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or someone who just bought their first non-stick pan, there’s a place for you here. I test every recipe in my own kitchen (and yes, I make the mess so you don’t have to), and I write them with real life in mind—simple, flavorful, and made to be shared.

Food, to me, is a form of storytelling. It carries who we are, where we’ve been, and what we love. On alanarecipes, you’ll find family favorites, new twists on old classics, and dishes that reflect the seasons of my life—sometimes literally. I’ll share the stories behind the recipes, the flops and the wins, and all the little moments in between.
So come on in, take a look around, and let’s cook something wonderful together. I hope these recipes become a part of your story, just as they’ve become such a big part of mine.
With love (and lots of butter),
Alana Bennett