Hi, I’m Jenny! I started Not Entirely Average back in 2013, initially as a way to share my love for food, travel, and creativity with family and friends. After a memorable trip to the south of France, I found myself reimagining dishes from my travels, blending flavors from across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean, all while cooking in my tiny 18-square-foot kitchen.
Fast forward to 2018: I took a leap of faith and officially incorporated Not Entirely Average. The tagline ‘A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats’ perfectly reflected how my love for food had evolved. I never imagined the blog would grow to reach readers in over 29 countries, or that it would become a go-to place for Southern-inspired dishes, sprinkled with what I like to refer to as ‘Yankee fodder.’
What You’ll Find Here
Whether I’m in my kitchen or out exploring, my passion for cooking is always front and center. I believe in the power of real ingredients and the joy of making meals a shared experience. Cooking for my family and friends—and sometimes with them—is what fuels my inspiration. Over the years, I’ve embraced Southern food traditions, especially the rich history and culture of the Carolinas and Sea Islands. I’ve spent years learning and cooking with those who’ve been kind enough to share their knowledge of Gullah and other traditional Southern foods.
The recipes I share are the same ones I cook with my own family, made with fresh ingredients and often inspired by our travels.
My Journey from New Jersey to Charleston
I moved from Basking Ridge, New Jersey to Charleston, South Carolina in 2005, and it was a culture shock in the best way possible. As a newcomer to the South, I began blending the food traditions I grew up with alongside the new flavors I was discovering. Charleston, with its rich food scene and history, was the perfect place for me to explore and learn. The city’s culinary melting pot pushed me to focus on Southern food and how it intertwines with other cultures and ingredients. You’ll still find recipes from this Jersey Girl all throughout this site, I promise!
Not Entirely Average became the perfect outlet for me to share not just my recipes, but also my love for cooking, photography, and writing. What started as a passion project has since grown into a full-fledged business that allows me to do what I love every day.
I make it a priority to help new food bloggers navigate important decisions, such as choosing the right website developers, tech advisors, and understanding how to protect their intellectual property with trademarks. From my own experience, I’ve learned that working with the wrong “experts” can have long-lasting negative effects on your site and its ability to generate income.
My Approach to Cooking
I take a methodical, hands-on approach to every recipe. Testing and retesting dishes until they’re just right has been a huge part of my process, and it’s important to me that everything I share is accessible and doable for busy families. At home, I focus on making dinners that often double as lunch or leftovers, and desserts that bring joy to everyone who shares a slice.
Here’s what I believe:
- Whole Ingredients Matter: Fresh, real ingredients are the backbone of great meals. I avoid prepackaged shortcuts where possible, opting for high-quality produce and pantry staples.
- Family-Friendly Meals: My recipes are designed for busy families, with dishes that are easy to pull together—even when you’ve got littles running around!
- Learning and Sharing: I’m constantly learning new techniques, especially when it comes to Southern food and history, and love passing on those lessons through my blog.
- Kitchen Minimalism: I believe in keeping tools to a minimum and focusing on essentials like sharp knives, a sturdy Dutch oven, and quality cookware.
- Connection Over Cuisine: More than just great food, I hope my recipes inspire readers to gather around the table with loved ones.
Whether you’re here for dinner inspiration or a special dessert, I hope you’ll enjoy these recipes as much as I’ve enjoyed creating them. Thank you for being part of this journey!
