My Story

I grew up in a small town in Vermont, where my parents ran a bed and breakfast. My earliest memories are of helping my mom prep breakfast for guests and watching my dad experiment with new dinner recipes every evening. Our kitchen was the heart of our home and our business.

My grandmother, who lived with us, was an incredible cook who grew up during the Depression and knew how to make magic with simple, affordable ingredients. She taught me that the best meals don’t need fancy techniques or expensive items—they just need care, good flavors, and love.

I studied nutrition and dietetics at the University of Vermont, graduating in 2011. After college, I worked as a clinical dietitian at a children’s hospital in Boston for five years, helping families create healthy, appealing meals their kids would actually eat. That experience shaped how I approach recipes today, making them practical, nutritious, and family-tested.

In 2017, James and I moved to Portland when he accepted a position as a software engineer. I transitioned to freelance nutrition consulting, which gave me more flexibility when Emma and Lucas came along. During naptime and after bedtime, I found myself returning to my first love: creating delicious, comforting dinner recipes.

By 2020, I was ready to turn my passion into something bigger, and OliviaDinner was born.

My Cooking Philosophy

At OliviaDinner, I focus on real weeknight dinners with recipes that fit into actual busy schedules, usually taking no more than 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish. I create family-friendly meals that appeal to both kids and adults, combining nutritious ingredients with comforting flavors that don’t sacrifice taste. My recipes are budget-conscious because delicious meals shouldn’t break the bank, and I specialize in minimal cleanup dishes like one-pot pastas, sheet pan dinners, and skillet meals.

I believe dinner should be stress-free with clear instructions and minimal prep work. It should be nourishing with balanced meals that include vegetables, proteins, and whole grains. Most importantly, it should be delicious because healthy food should taste amazing, and it should be achievable without fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients.

What Makes OliviaDinner Different

Every recipe on this site is tested in my real family kitchen, not a professional studio. If my picky 5-year-old will eat it, and my 8-year-old asks for seconds, it makes it to the blog.

I test each recipe at least four times: once for myself, once with modifications, once with budget ingredients, and once more for the final version. I want to make sure these recipes work for everyone, whether you’re shopping at Whole Foods or Walmart.

My background in nutrition means I also provide helpful information about ingredients, substitutions, and how to make recipes work for various dietary needs, all without being preachy or restrictive.

My Specialties

I’m known for creating one-pot pasta dinners that the whole family loves, along with sheet pan meals that combine protein and vegetables on a single tray. I develop slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes for hands-off cooking, create healthy comfort food makeovers that lighten up classic dishes, share strategies for getting kids to actually eat their vegetables, and provide meal prep strategies that make busy weeks more manageable.

Beyond the Kitchen

When I’m not developing recipes or photographing food, you’ll find me exploring Portland’s farmers markets with the kids every Saturday morning. We hike Forest Park trails regularly, where Lucas collects interesting leaves and Emma photographs wildflowers. I love reading cookbooks and food memoirs, with current favorites including Samin Nosrat, Ina Garten, and Molly Yeh.

I volunteer at our local community garden and practice yoga at a studio downtown, which has become my weekly sanity-saver. I also teach occasional cooking workshops at our neighborhood community center, helping other busy parents discover the joy of simple, delicious home cooking.

Let’s Connect

Email: [email protected] (I personally read every message and try to respond within 48 hours!)

Social Media: Find me on Pinterest at pinterest.com/oliviadinner, and Facebook at facebook.com/oliviadinner.

Press & Collaborations: For media inquiries, brand partnerships, or speaking opportunities, please email [email protected].