Hello, I’m Olivia Barnes, and I’m absolutely delighted to welcome you into my kitchen world. I’m 42, living in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, where the air always smells faintly of lavender and the pace of life encourages you to savour the little things. My love affair with cooking began at my grandmother’s cottage, where the oven was always warm and something delicious was always on the go.

I didn’t train at a fancy culinary school or work in Michelin-starred kitchens. My journey has been entirely home-grown, quite literally. We had a modest garden, and every summer it would burst with tomatoes, courgettes, runner beans, and herbs that perfumed the whole garden. Cooking with what was fresh and seasonal became second nature, and I learned to trust my senses before any recipe.

I suppose what truly shaped my cooking was necessity—and joy. As a young mum of three, there were days when a slice of toast with melted cheese felt like a gourmet experience, simply because it was made with love and eaten together. Over time, I began experimenting more, writing down little tweaks, swapping ingredients based on what was in the cupboard, and slowly building a repertoire of comforting, reliable, and surprisingly delightful dishes.

What I adore most is demystifying the idea that cooking has to be complicated. I want every home cook to feel that same giddy thrill of pulling a golden pie from the oven or stirring a pot of soup that fills the house with the smell of comfort. Mistakes happen—I’ve had my fair share of soggy bottoms and oversalted stews—but those hiccups make the triumphs all the sweeter.

These days, I share my recipes, tips, and stories with a wonderful community of fellow home cooks. Nothing makes me happier than hearing how someone tried one of my Sunday roast hacks or finally mastered Yorkshire puddings that rise like proud little crowns.

Cooking, for me, is about love, laughter, and a bit of butter. I’m so glad you’re here—pop the kettle on, and let’s cook something lovely together.