About Lori – The Soul of Down South Dishes
Welcome to Down South Dishes! My name is Lori, and this is where my heart lies, amidst pots and pans, spices, and the warm aroma of baking that reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen. Born into the rich tapestry of Southern culture, I was brought up where food was not just sustenance but a profound expression of care, community, and heritage.
From as early as ten years old, I found myself at my grandmother’s side, her kitchen in rural ALABAMA becoming my first classroom. She was a stern woman with hands worn by time, each wrinkle a story of hardship and survival during tough times. Under her exacting gaze, I learned more than just the recipes handed down through generations; I learned the resilience and creativity that Southern cooking demands. My childhood was marked by the clinking of jars filled with preserves and the sizzle of chicken frying on a Sunday afternoon, but it was also shadowed by the struggles of the family farm and the community’s battle against encroaching urbanization which threatened our way of life.
As I grew, so did my skills and my understanding of the culinary world beyond the Southern borders. I ventured out, traveling across the country, tasting everything from the piquant flavors of the Southwest to the refined dishes of the Northeast. Yet, with every spoonful of exotic sauces or bite of foreign delicacies, my heart yearned for the simple, bold flavors of home. It was during a particularly lonely winter in New York, surrounded by the hum of city life yet isolated from its heart, that I decided to return to my roots and bring my journey full circle.
Returning home wasn’t easy. The landscape had changed; many family farms had disappeared, replaced by sprawling developments. Yet, the fundamental spirit of Southern cooking remained alive, beating in places like local BBQ joints and community potlucks. I decided then to reignite the fires of traditional Southern cooking by starting ‘Down South Dishes’, a digital homage to the recipes and tales of the South.
Down South Dishes is more than just a food blog; it is a sanctuary where I weave tales of old with modern twists on classic recipes. It is where I document my efforts to preserve our culinary heritage and keep the stories of our ancestors alive through each dish I create. Here, every recipe is a story, every meal a chapter in a larger saga of resilience, love, and transformation.
Whether you’re looking for comfort food to soothe your soul or a spicy kick to liven up your meals, I hope you’ll find solace and joy in what I share. Join me in celebrating the enduring spirit and evolving nature of Southern cuisine.
Thank you for being here, for reading, for cooking, and for carrying on the tradition of storytelling through food.