Hi there! I’m Ben Hartley, a 40-year-old chef based in Asheville, North Carolina. If you’ve ever found yourself elbow-deep in flour, trying to recreate your grandmother’s biscuits or staring at a bubbling pot wondering if you’ve just made soup or a science experiment, then we’re already friends. I believe the kitchen is less about perfection and more about stories, experiments, and love—and a good deal of mess along the way.

My journey didn’t start in culinary school or at a fancy restaurant. It started in a cramped apartment kitchen in Chicago, watching my mom whip up Sunday dinners that somehow tasted like a warm hug. I spent years cooking for friends, family, roommates, and anyone who walked through my door hungry. Eventually, the whispers of “You should do this for real” got louder, and I decided to take the plunge. I trained under a few amazing chefs, worked the line at busy diners, taught cooking classes at the community center, and hosted supper clubs right in my backyard.

Now, I spend my days teaching others how to cook with confidence. Whether it’s your first time holding a chef’s knife or you’ve already got your signature dish, I want to help you find joy in the everyday act of feeding yourself and the people you love. I’m not here to show off or tell you what you must do—I’m here to share what’s worked, what’s flopped, and what made me laugh in the process. From homemade chili that won a neighborhood cook-off (true story) to the sourdough starter that somehow exploded at 2 a.m., I’ve got stories to tell and tips to share.

Cooking, to me, is about connection. With our roots, our creativity, and most importantly, with each other. So pull up a stool, grab a spatula, and let’s make something delicious together. Mistakes welcome, questions encouraged, and seconds always served.