Hi there! I’m Olivia Marcelli , and if you’re anything like me, you believe that the best meals aren’t just made with great ingredients they’re made with heart, with a little mess, and with a whole lot of love.
My Roots & How It All Started
Growing Up in Asheville, North Carolina
I was born and raised just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, where the mountains are as full of flavor as the kitchens tucked away in them. I grew up in a home where the stove was always warm, someone was always trying to sneak a taste before dinner was ready, and every meal felt like an event even the simple ones.
Lessons From My Mom’s Kitchen
My mom made everything from scratch, never measuring, rarely following a recipe, but always cooking with her heart. Watching her taught me that the best meals aren’t just made with great ingredients they’re made with warmth, creativity, and sometimes a little mess. That’s where I caught the bug that never let me go.
A Creative Path to Cooking
From Art School to Dinner Parties
Unlike most chefs you’ll hear about, I didn’t go to culinary school I went to art school in Savannah. But even surrounded by brushes and canvases, food kept calling me. I hosted tiny dinner parties in my studio apartment for classmates who didn’t know what a béchamel was but were more than happy to eat it. Cooking became my secret creative outlet, a way to connect art and everyday life.
Finding My Culinary Voice
After college, I bounced around working in a bookstore, teaching painting classes but the kitchen always pulled me back. I realized that food wasn’t just a hobby; it was my language, my therapy, and my favorite way to show up for the people I love. Bit by bit, I found my own cooking style: playful, colorful, and never too serious. Just like art, my recipes are meant to be enjoyed, not perfected.
From Hobby to Whimsy Plate
Starting Small: Baking Classes & Pop-Ups
When I finally accepted that cooking was more than just a side passion, I started small really small. I offered weekend baking classes out of my apartment, teaching a handful of curious home cooks how to make sweet treats from scratch. That little spark grew into pop-up dinners, where strangers became friends over a shared love of good food and a willingness to embrace a few happy accidents in the kitchen.
Building a Joyful Cooking Community
What started as an experiment turned into a community. I realized there were so many people like me people who believe that cooking should feel fun, forgiving, and full of heart. That’s how A Whimsy Plate was born: as a place for anyone who wants to play with their food, learn new things, and feed the people they love without worrying about perfection. Together, we’ve created a space where a little mess is part of the magic.
My Cooking Style & Kitchen Today
Playful, Seasonal & Southern Twists
These days, my cooking style is playful, seasonal, and deeply personal just like the mountains I grew up in. I love classic Southern comfort food but with an unexpected twist, whether that’s a new spice I’ve fallen in love with or an old recipe turned upside down. I believe that trying something new, even if you have to Google it first, is half the fun.
Millie, Spices & Imperfect Meals
I share my kitchen with my rescue pup, Millie, and an ever-growing collection of spice jars that I swear I’ll organize one day. My favorite meals are rarely perfect they’re the ones cooked in a hurry, a little burnt around the edges, but shared with people I love. That’s the heart of A Whimsy Plate: cooking that’s real, imperfect, and always full of flavor.
My Invitation to You
Who I Cook For
If you’re a home cook who wants to learn, experiment, and enjoy the process even when your dough doesn’t rise and your sauce splits then you’re exactly who I cook for. A Whimsy Plate is for curious, joyful people who believe the best meals aren’t flawless, they’re shared.
Let’s Cook Something Wonderful!
I’m not here to teach you how to be perfect. I’m here to remind you how magical it feels to feed the people you love, try something new, and find your own rhythm in the kitchen. So grab your favorite pan, don’t worry about the mess, and let’s cook something wonderful together.
