Cooking is my love language,

Before becoming a mom, I loved experimenting in the kitchen — testing recipes, playing with flavors, and chasing that "oh my god, this is so good" reaction from my husband. Cooking was creative, fun, and something I genuinely looked forward to.

Then I entered motherhood.

After my daughter was born, my priorities shifted, but my expectations didn't. I wanted to feed her wholesome, sustaining meals made with care, yet exhaustion, lack of time, and mental overload slowly took their toll. The kitchen no longer felt like a creative space — it felt like another task to get through.

As she's grown, she's become more and more curious about what I'm doing in the kitchen — whether it's genuine interest or a little separation anxiety is still up for debate. What I do know is that she loves being involved. She loves to chop, mix, and help wherever she can. Finding meals that were healthy, quick, and simple enough for her to participate in became a goal — and an unexpected gift.

Cooking together re-ignited something I thought I had lost.

Being back in the kitchen, cooking regularly and with intention, made me realize something important: not everyone has had that spark reignited. For many families, dinnertime feels overwhelming — deciding what to make, when to start, how to get it on the table at the right time, and whether anyone (especially kids) will actually eat it.

That realization is what sparked Raye's Café.

I believe everyone deserves access to warm, home-cooked meals made with love — without the stress. Meals that nourish, comfort, and bring people together. Whether you're short on time, energy, ideas, or all three, my hope is that Raye's Café helps make dinner something you can enjoy again.

Because dinner shouldn't feel like a burden — it should feel like being cared for.