Meet Erin! A self-taught home cook turned full-time recipe developer and content creator, Erin has built a devoted community by making home cooking feel approachable, joyful, and genuinely doable—even on the busiest weeknights. What started as sharing recipes online in 2019 has grown into something much bigger, and her debut cookbook, Dig In!, is a reflection of that journey. 

In this conversation, Erin shares more about her path from real estate to the kitchen, the legacy that shaped her cooking, and the simple, meaningful ways she’s learning to “spread good” in her everyday life. Read on to hear more about Erin's journey and preorder her cookbook Dig In! ahead of it's official release in May 2026. 

Tell us a little about you!

Hi! I’m a self-taught home cook, raised in sunny Southern California. I started sharing recipes and food content on social media back in 2019 and fell in love with making home cooking feel fun, doable, and really delicious. That mission is what’s helped me build a community around approachable, craveable, weeknight-friendly food. My debut cookbook, Dig In!, comes out in May 2026, and I also write a Substack newsletter called WTF To Make For Dinner. I live in the Pasadena area just outside LA with my husband (and business partner) Andrew, and our tiny but mighty pups Izzy and Luna.

What was the inspiration for “Dig In!”? What is one thing you hope readers (and home chefs!) take away from the cookbook?

Dig In! was inspired by the women who raised me and by the community that formed around my kitchen online. I come from a long line of strong, intuitive, and stubborn women who never measured a thing. My grandma owned a Mexican restaurant in the 70’s called Lupita’s La Jolla to support her family as a single mom. My mom is the queen of getting dinner on the table fast, making something delicious out of whatever she has on hand, and measuring with her heart. From them, I learned that food is love, creativity, resilience, and celebration all rolled into one. 

When I started sharing recipes online, the response reminded me of why I love cooking in the first place. Food brings people together. That same spirit is at the heart of Dig In!. It’s an invitation to pull up a chair, cook with intention, and share something delicious with the people you love.

More than anything, I hope readers walk away as better home cooks who feel more confident and joyful in the kitchen. This book is filled with flavor-packed recipes that are approachable and repeatable, the kind you will actually find yourself turning to again and again. It teaches simple techniques, flexible methods, and practical tips you can use for these recipes and beyond. It also includes Sommelier-approved wine pairings to make everything from a dinner party to a quick weeknight meal feel a bit more special.

What do you do for work? Tell us about your professional journey.

I’m a professional recipe developer and full-time content creator. After years in real estate, I started sharing recipes online and my passion quickly turned into my full-time work. I’m grateful for every minute of getting to do what I love. 

How do you stay motivated?

My online community motivates me more than anything. Their support and love through the years has meant the world to me, and it still feels surreal to see people cooking my recipes and sharing them with those they love. Messages that say I helped them get dinner on the table during a hectic weeknight, or that I’ve helped them feel more confident in the kitchen, are what keeps me going.  

Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in starting a business/blog?

Yes - don’t waste another minute thinking about it and just start, I’m a big-time overthinker, which is why it took me years to take the leap, and I wish I had started sooner. You don’t have to have it all figured out on day one. You will learn so much by doing, and you can refine as you go. Most importantly, stay authentic and true to yourself. 

What are your favorite ways to #spreadgood in your community?

Right now, my favorite way to spread good is simple: showing up. Life is busy, and the book has taken over in the best way these past few years, so I’m really trying to be more present for the people I love. Whether it’s a quick check-in, dropping off a meal, or carving out time during a packed week. On a larger scale, I try to stay informed and support causes that matter to me, whether that’s donating or sharing resources. It feels especially important to me given the current climate. 

Who is one person who inspires you and why?

My 89 year old grandma, Nana, inspires me more than anyone. She was a single mom of three who immigrated from Mexico to San Diego to provide a better life for her family. Through hard work, sacrifice, and a deep love for feeding people, she opened up her Mexican restaurant, Lupita’s La Jolla. I feel proud to carry her legacy forward and to honor her in my own way. I’m so grateful to have the chance to share more of her story in Dig In!.

How do you work to stay centered and practice self-care in your busy day-to-day reality?

Honestly, this is something I’m still working on! When you turn your passion into your job, and you really love what you do, it can be hard to create boundaries. The biggest thing that helps me is making time for some small resets. That can look like stepping away from work for a walk or squeezing in a quick workout. Exercise clears my head and gives me a break from the constant scroll and content cycle, and I’m trying to do it more consistently. I’ve also been carving out time to organize and declutter our home since December, which brings me a lot of mental clarity, especially because we work from home. 

What do you like to do for fun, when you aren’t working?

Does sleep count? Just kidding. Spending time with family and friends is what truly recharges and fills my cup when I’m not working. Whether it’s hosting a casual dinner, opening a good bottle of wine during game night, or just being together, that's what fills my cup.  

What are some of your favorite recipes with Ground Up? Do you have a favorite flavor?

I’m obsessed with your nut butters and honestly keep it simple because they don’t need anything to shine. My favorite pairing is the easiest one: Ground Up with crisp apple slices. I also lean on quick bowls like Greek yogurt with granola, Ground Up, berries or banana, and a drizzle of honey. And yes, I’ve absolutely eaten it straight from the jar with a spoon! My top Ground Up flavors are Snickerdoodle Almond, Cashew & Coconut Butter, and Chunky Hazelnut & Almond Butter.