Welcome to Cooksrealm

Hi there! I’m Amelia D. Francis, a 34-year-old homegrown chef living in the cozy town of Charleston, South Carolina. My kitchen might not be fancy, and my apron is usually dusted with flour, but that’s exactly how I like it. Cooking, for me, has always been about love—messy, joyful, comfort-filled love.
I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a chef. In fact, I studied English in college and worked in publishing for years. But somewhere between late-night potlucks with friends and Sunday dinners with my mom, I found myself drawn more and more to the kitchen. I still remember the first time I made cornbread that didn’t crumble into dust—such a small victory, but it lit a fire in me.
Over the years, my kitchen became my happy place, my stress relief, and my way of connecting with the people I care about. I started a little blog just for fun, sharing recipes and stories from my table, and to my surprise, it took off. Turns out, a lot of folks are like me—busy, a little tired, craving something homemade, and looking for encouragement instead of perfection.
My style is rooted in Southern comfort but open to flavors from everywhere. I love slow-cooked meals that fill the house with warmth, but I’m also not afraid to try something new—Thai-inspired sweet potato soup, cardamom-spiced banana bread, you name it. I believe recipes are like stories: meant to be shared, adapted, and passed on.
I’m here to remind you that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Burnt the toast? No big deal. Sauce a little too salty? You’ll laugh about it tomorrow. What matters is that you’re trying, learning, and feeding the people you love.
If you ever need a go-to mac and cheese recipe, a gentle nudge to trust your instincts, or just someone to tell you that yes, that pie looks amazing—I’m your girl.
Welcome to my kitchen. Let’s make something unforgettable together.