About Isabella: The Story Behind the Recipes

Hi there! I’m Maria Monroe, but most folks just call me Izzy. I’m 38, based in Asheville, North Carolina, and if you asked me what I do, I’d say I feed people—not just with food, but with warmth, stories, and a touch of curiosity. My kitchen has always been my compass, leading me through life’s wild turns with a wooden spoon in hand and the smell of garlic usually trailing close behind.

I didn’t go to culinary school, though for years I thought I should. I grew up learning from my grandmother in a sunlit Michigan kitchen, her hands stained with tomato and love. She made magic from pantry staples and always had something bubbling on the stove. It wasn’t until much later that I realized those ordinary moments—kneading dough while she told me stories, tasting soups with my eyes closed—were my education.

Over the years, I’ve worked in cafés, catered for friends, and taught casual cooking classes out of my own home. But my favorite thing has always been sharing recipes that feel like home. I love a dish that knows how to comfort. I gravitate toward seasonal cooking, farmers’ markets, cast iron skillets, and messy countertops. I believe recipes are living things—they breathe, evolve, and sometimes surprise you. I never follow one exactly the same way twice, and I encourage you not to either.

I’ve had my share of burnt crusts and forgotten ingredients (don’t ask me about the Thanksgiving I left the sugar out of the pecan pie), but those flops are part of the fun. They remind me that cooking isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention, joy, and that moment when someone takes a bite and their eyes say everything.

Whether you’re here because you’re looking for your next go-to weeknight dinner or you just love to wander through the flavors of someone else’s kitchen, welcome. Pull up a chair. There’s always room at my table, and something delicious just about ready to serve.