Cherisse Byers

Cherisse Byers has always had a love for food. Watching cooking shows on Sunday afternoons is where it all started. Throughout high school and college that love never faded but she had not recognized it as something big enough to make into a career. It was always a hobby.

Shortly after graduating from college Cherisse was married with two young children. By then everyone who knew her well also knew how much she loved anything food related. Eventually the kids grew up and it was time for the next chapter. The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham was that next step. She had finally decided to make this hobby into a career. 

Cherisse quickly realized that the food industry wasn’t the most family friendly career path. With that said, she decided to take on multiple part-time jobs. It would give her the much-needed experience while accommodating the demands of a household with young children. Along the way she would pick up additional positions with Wake Tech, Williams Sonoma, and the Durham Convention Center on top of being a part-time student. It wasn’t easy but it sure was fun!

Upon graduating with a degree in Culinary Arts she had already started her own business providing cooking classes for various events and occasions. Back then, it was a little off the beaten path for a culinary graduate.  Cherisse found that her story made it easy to connect with the home cook. It was so rewarding to watch class participants breathe a sigh of relief at loving what they had just prepared.  After spending several years teaching at Wake Tech, Whisk, the Art Institute and other companies her relationship with food continues to evolve.  Currently, Cherisse is spending more time out of the kitchen. Writing and mentoring has allowed her to engage with the subject of food in a new way.  It’s that same invigorating feeling you get from adjusting a familiar recipe and she loves it!   
Cartoon chicken giving thumbs up and red heart

4 Reasons To Love Your Thighs

No, I don’t mean your legs, lol. We are talking chicken thighs – these tasty little chicken parts get a bad rap in most of America. Maybe we can blame the fried chicken fast food restaurants for making the dark meats a cheaper offering when ordeing a bucket.  Reason #1

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Sunflower arrangement with fan and wine glass

A Dinner in The Meadow

    Have you ever wondered what it would be like to dine on exquisite cuisine, prepared by expert chefs from your local area, in the middle of a meadow, on a farm, out in the country just as the sun sets? I used to imagine what this magical experience

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White plate with a fork and knife alongside a yellow and white flower

The Supper Club

It was my our turn to host The Supper Club. For those who like to cook supper club is way to share all your favorites. Our group at this time was made up of some exceptional cooks. Some of our guests cook professionally so we knew whatever we made had to

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A pickle guy pointing at himself with a jar of pickles

The Pickle Contest

One day a friend of mine and I were enjoying a pint of beer at a local bottle shop.  He offered to share some pickles that his sister-in-law made for him. Of course, I was excited to try them and boy oh boy did that get me thinking I should

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The Southeast Asian Cooking Class

A few months ago, on May 4th, 2018 some very good friends got married. Yes, it was on Star Wars Day, however, there were no Darth Vader or Wookies in attendance. It was, in contrast, a very beautiful and elegant, outdoor affair in a peaceful but grand setting. The music

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Nicole and Jan Cook Asian

  Neither I or Nicole have any ties to the Asian community except through food. We both love sushi, pho, wontons, spring rolls and just about any Asian dish you can think of. We thought it would be fun to use one of our coveted three days visiting together to

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Sunday Is For Football

Once the NFL draft happens in April, the countdown is on in my house. We have to complete any lingering household projects before the start of football preseason.  August through February every Sunday in my house consists of football, more football and food! Being from New England we are all

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The Salsa Contest 2018

  Some of my favorite foodie friends and I decided what a better way to say goodbye to summer than to hold a salsa contest. With, salsa you need some kind of vehicle to hold the salsa and some way to taste it properly. Yes, tortilla chips are a fabulous vehicle

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