A bit about me...

I grew up in rural South Carolina watching my mother and grandmother create our daily meals from scratch. Home cooking with seasonal farm fresh ingredients, home canned, home preserved. Family mealtime every night. My foundation was set.

Fast forward to me at 30, relocating my small young family to Dallas, with high hopes of a future for my children as big as TEXAS. Texas is a big proud, sprawling place. Big land, big skies, big sunsets. Big food! The rich, bold & spicy flavors are part of Texas’ personality and Southwestern cuisine is now celebrated across America– thanks in particular to the founding father himself, renowned Chef, Author, and friend – Chef Stephan Pyles. This style of cooking influences nearly every meal I create, including Valerie’s Thyme!

I believe food, like life, is what you put into it. As human beings, food fuels us, comforts and bonds us. For me, cooking is about love. It is the ultimate way to give as much of myself as I can in helping my family and friends to feel special and cared for. I am so thrilled to see the farm to table movement beginning to thrive again. To see young families putting a real emphasis on cooking at home, sharing mealtime with each other.

These days, our blended family now spreads from North Texas to Oklahoma to New York to South Carolina. Cherished are the times when we can be together, sharing a meal we have all contributed to. I am so blessed to be able to do what I love most now, and in turn, share it with you. Welcome to my family. Welcome to Valerie’s Thyme.