Hi there! I’m Lucy Tadic, and if you’ve ever stood in your kitchen at 6 p.m. wondering what on earth to cook while small voices clamor for attention or homework help, trust me I’ve been there. I’m a 42-year-old mom of three living just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and my kitchen is where chaos meets comfort, creativity, and the occasional culinary misfire.
I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a chef. In fact, I studied elementary education and spent several years teaching second grade before I found myself leaning more and more into the rhythm and magic of the kitchen. Cooking started as a necessity for budget meals, picky eaters, and late-night lunchbox prep but somewhere along the way, it became my escape, my art, and my love language.
My style? Think cozy Midwest classics with a twist of Mediterranean brightness (thanks to my Croatian roots) and a heavy sprinkle of shortcuts that make sense for real life. I believe a good meal doesn’t have to be complicated or perfect. You can make dinner with one hand while holding a baby in the other. You can burn the toast and still have a great breakfast. Food, to me, is about effort and love, not flawless technique.
Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace batch cooking, freezer hacks, and the wonders of a slow cooker. My kids have been my taste testers, critics, and cheerleaders, and they’re not shy about telling me when something tastes “weird.” But that honesty has made me a better cook and a more patient mom.
Now, I share my recipes and tips for home cooks like me: busy, a little tired, always trying, and never giving up on the dream of a warm, delicious dinner that brings everyone to the table. If you’re just starting, or if you’ve been cooking forever but still dread the question “What’s for dinner?”, I hope you’ll find a little joy and a lot of grace in my kitchen. Let’s make something lovely together.