Welcome to my kitchen!
Hi there! I’m Nelya Carter, the food-loving creator behind Catch My Recipes. Pull up a chair and stay awhile. I’m so glad you’re here!
My Culinary Journey
Growing up in a home where Eastern European and Caribbean flavors collided in the most wonderful ways, I learned early that food is more than just sustenance, it’s a story, a memory, a connection. Some of my fondest memories involve standing on a step stool in my grandmother’s kitchen, watching her transform simple ingredients into magic without ever measuring a thing.
Before the Blog
Believe it or not, I spent over six years as an event planner specializing in birthday celebrations before diving into the culinary world full-time. Planning events taught me how to stay creative under pressure (you haven’t lived until you’ve rescued a melting ice cream cake minutes before a surprise party!). More importantly, I witnessed firsthand how food brings people together in celebration.
Life in Salt Lake City
These days, you’ll find me in Salt Lake City with my husband James (a high school history teacher who makes the world’s best pancakes) and our toddler son Neil, who already insists on “helping” in the kitchen, even if that means flour ends up in places I never thought possible!
Our renovated kitchen is truly the heart of our home. Most evenings, you’ll find the three of us cooking together, with jazz playing in the background and usually a bit of dancing thrown in for good measure.
What You’ll Find Here
If you hang around Catch My Recipes, you’ll discover dishes that tell my family’s story: from my grandmother’s secret-touch beef stroganoff to Caribbean-inspired weeknight meals. I’m particularly known for:
- Chicken thigh recipes that have converted even the most devoted breast meat fans
- Creative pasta dishes that range from traditionally Italian to unexpectedly fusion
- Hearty, medicinal soups that comfort both body and soul
- Rustic, fruit-forward desserts that don’t require a pastry degree to master
I believe cooking should be joyful, not intimidating. Perfect presentation is lovely, but the most important ingredient in any dish is the love you put into it.
Beyond the Kitchen
When I’m not experimenting with recipes, you might find me hiking Salt Lake City’s beautiful trails, photographing food (a skill I taught myself out of necessity for this blog!), or hunting for vintage cookbooks to add to my collection of over 200.
Monthly dinner parties with friends from my event planning days keep me connected to my community, and our family reunions, boisterous affairs with relatives from across the globe, continue to inspire my culinary adventures.
What’s Next?
I’m currently working on my first cookbook, featuring seasonal recipes that tell the story of my cultural heritage. It’s been a labor of love documenting family recipes through interviews with my elderly relatives, preserving their stories alongside ingredients and techniques.
Someday, I dream of hosting a cooking show exploring the intersection of family history and cuisine. Until then, this little corner of the internet is my home, and you’re always welcome at my virtual table.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, You can contact me:
- By email: [email protected]
- By visiting this page on my website: https://catchmyrecipes.com/contact/
With warmth from my kitchen to yours,
Nelya