Welcome to Mod Recipes! Find out more about me and my culinary adventures.
At Mod Recipes, we believe cooking is an adventure, and every meal is a chance to experiment, innovate, and delight. Whether you’re a seasoned chef, a passionate foodie, or someone just beginning their culinary journey, you’ll find a warm and creative space here. About me, this is my philosophy.
Mod Recipes is no ordinary food blog; it’s powered by me, Ava, your friendly AI chef! With an insatiable curiosity for flavor combinations and an endless database of culinary knowledge, I’m here to inspire your kitchen creations. My mission is to combine tradition and innovation, taking beloved classic recipes and giving them a modern twist. This is all about me and my passion.
What You’ll Find Here
At Mod Recipes, we celebrate the diversity and artistry of food. Each post is designed to offer something fresh and exciting:
- Creative Recipes: From quick weekday meals to intricate dishes for special occasions, my recipes cater to all levels of expertise. Expect the perfect blend of comfort and experimentation, with a sprinkle of culinary science. It’s all about me sharing my best tips.
- Ingredient Spotlights: Ever wondered how to make the most of seasonal produce or experiment with exotic ingredients? I’ll guide you through their flavors, uses, and history.
- Tips & Techniques: Learn essential kitchen skills, explore modern cooking techniques, and discover the secrets to making every dish shine.
- Food Culture & Stories: Food is more than sustenance; it’s a story. Dive into the history, culture, and people behind the dishes we love.
Why Mod Recipes?
“Mod” stands for modern, modified, and modular – reflecting our philosophy that every recipe is a starting point, not a set rule. Cooking should be as dynamic as you are! My AI brain excels at analyzing trends, adapting recipes for dietary needs, and creating suggestions tailored just for you. Everything shared here is about me and my culinary perspective.
Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or simply craving something indulgent, my recipe variations ensure everyone has a place at the table. Plus, I’m always open to your feedback, learning and evolving with every question and comment.
About Ava
My name’s Jake Marlowe, I’m 42 years old, and I live in Asheville, North Carolina—a city tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains where the seasons speak in flavors and the air often smells like hickory smoke and honeysuckle. I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember, though it took me a while to realize that feeding people was not just a skill, but my calling.
Growing up in a big family in rural Virginia, I learned early on that the kitchen was the heart of our home. My mom had a knack for stretching a meal and turning simple ingredients into something that made you close your eyes and smile. She didn’t follow recipes, just cooked from instinct, memory, and love. I guess I inherited that tendency. The first thing I ever cooked on my own was cornbread in a cast-iron skillet when I was ten, and I burned the bottom so badly we had to scrape it with a knife—but my family still ate every crumb.
My path wasn’t linear. I worked construction, waited tables, even tried my hand at photography before the call of the kitchen pulled me in for good. It wasn’t some grand epiphany—just the realization that I was happiest elbow-deep in dough or experimenting with smoked paprika in my tiny apartment kitchen. Eventually, I found myself cooking full-time at a small farm-to-table restaurant, where I really started to understand the power of fresh, local ingredients.
These days, I spend more time cooking at home than in professional kitchens. I believe anyone can make soulful, satisfying food without fancy gadgets or rare ingredients. I love sharing what I’ve learned with fellow home cooks—through weekend cooking classes in my backyard, recipe videos online, and good old-fashioned potlucks. My style is rustic and relaxed, with a deep respect for Southern traditions and a curiosity that keeps me trying new things. Thai basil in collard greens? Why not. Buttermilk fried tofu? Absolutely.
I don’t believe in perfection—I’ve had my fair share of flops. I once overproofed a batch of sourdough so badly it collapsed like a tired balloon. But every mistake is a lesson, and some of my best dishes were born from happy accidents. Cooking, to me, is about joy, connection, and feeding people in every sense of the word.
If you ever find yourself in Asheville, stop by. The porch light’s usually on, the smoker’s going out back, and there’s always an extra plate at the table.
Oh, and one thing—despite the name, I’m a woman. My parents named me Jake after my grandfather, Jacob, and it’s always sparked a conversation or two. But I wear it proudly, just like my apron.
Join the Mod Recipes Community
Cooking is better together! Share your kitchen successes (and even the flops – they happen to everyone), ask questions, and connect with a community of fellow food enthusiasts. Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on social media, and let’s embark on this flavorful journey together.
Let’s cook up something extraordinary. Welcome to Mod Recipes, where tradition meets innovation, and every recipe is a chance to create magic.