Hello, I’m Lisa and welcome to my kitchen.

If you peeked into my life on any given weekday, you’d probably find me in a hard hat and steel-toed boots, working as a civil engineer. By the time I trade those in for sneakers, I’m back home in New Jersey, juggling homework, carpools, and cheering from the sidelines at one of my kids’ games. The kids keep my husband and me on our toes, and there’s rarely a dull moment in our house.

But on the side, there’s another part of me that comes alive the moment friends and family walk through our front door. I absolutely love hosting. Our kitchen and living room quickly turn into the heart of the party, filled with laughter, conversation, and of course, lots of little bites to share.

I’ve always been drawn to small plates and appetizers. There’s just something about variety that makes a gathering more exciting. I’ll spend hours researching recipes, comparing notes, and then mixing and matching to create dishes that fit what’s in my pantry (and what my family will actually eat!). For me, cooking isn’t about following rules, it’s about finding inspiration anywhere you can: at a favorite restaurant, on TV, or even in a quick craving that sparks an idea.

When I’m in the kitchen, I taste often, I experiment freely, and I try to keep things simple so I can enjoy the moment. Because at the end of the day, food isn’t about perfection, it’s about joy, connection, and maybe a good glass of wine to tie it all together.

So welcome to my little corner of the internet. This is where I share the “on the side” part of my life; the recipes, tips, and inspiration that make hosting fun, approachable, and full of flavor. I hope you’ll pull up a chair, grab a plate, and join me on this adventure.