Hello!
My name is Dana, I’m 38 years old, and I live in Chicago, Illinois, a city bursting with culinary diversity and rich history. Food has always been my love language. I grew up in a house where meals were celebrations, improvisations, and sometimes, delightful catastrophes. My mother believed in butter, my father in spice, and together they raised a daughter who would one day find her heart in the kitchen.
I’m half Polish and half American, and that mix of heritage flavors everything I do. From pierogi Sundays with my babcia to smoky backyard barbecues on the Fourth of July, my childhood was a patchwork of culinary traditions that taught me early on how food could bridge continents.
I didn’t take a straight path to cooking. I studied journalism in college and spent my twenties chasing stories across the country, writing about culture, people, and yes—food. Somewhere between deadlines and diner interviews, I realized I was more interested in the aroma of garlic sizzling in a cast iron skillet than the headline I was supposed to file. So I pivoted. Enrolled in a small culinary school in Vermont, spent sleepless nights learning to perfect a hollandaise, and fell in love with food all over again, this time with the precision and artistry that professional kitchens demand.
Over the years, I’ve cooked in bustling restaurants, pop-up events, and even a treehouse dinner club I co-founded with friends. But my real passion lies in understanding the story behind every dish. What does it mean? Who made it first? How has it evolved? Food is memory, movement, rebellion, and comfort all at once. My cooking is heavily influenced by Southern roots with global inspiration—think cornmeal-crusted okra next to miso-glazed salmon, or hush puppies infused with za’atar.
I cook with curiosity and serve with soul. I believe ingredients should be respected but not worshipped, that recipes are roadmaps not commandments, and that sometimes the best dishes come from mistakes—like the burnt caramel tart that accidentally became my signature dessert. I also have a deep love for food photography; capturing the colors, textures, and stories of each plate I create brings me just as much joy as eating it. My camera is almost always nearby—sometimes the food gets a photoshoot before it even reaches the table.
Life in Chicago is full and vibrant. I share it with my wonderful husband, our two children—Ella and Peter—and my beloved grandmother Elizabeth, who still makes the best apple cake you’ve ever tasted. Our kitchen is the heart of our home, always buzzing with laughter, music, and the comforting aroma of something delicious on the stove.
These days, I teach workshops, host supper clubs, and write about the intersection of food and identity. I’m always on the lookout for the next intriguing flavor combination or forgotten culinary tradition. If you love food not just for how it tastes but for the stories it tells, we’re going to get along just fine.
Pull up a chair. There’s always room at my table.
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Warmly, Dana