Hello! I’m Clara Benton, a 33-year-old homegrown chef hailing from the windswept coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. My kitchen smells like sea salt, maple, and fresh herbs most days—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I didn’t grow up dreaming of Michelin stars or towering soufflés. Instead, my love for cooking began in my grandmother’s sun-drenched kitchen, where pies cooled on windowsills and soup simmered on the stove all day long. She believed food should comfort, nourish, and never stress you out—and that’s a philosophy I’ve carried with me ever since.
My path into the culinary world was anything but straight. I studied literature in university, toyed with the idea of journalism, and even taught English for a few years. But it was the simple act of inviting friends over and whipping up a meal that lit a fire in me I couldn’t ignore. I started sharing my kitchen adventures online, from failed attempts at croissants to cozy one-pot wonders, and slowly, a community began to grow.
These days, I live just outside Halifax with my partner, two spirited kids, and a dog who thinks he’s a sous-chef. My style of cooking is approachable, warm, and deeply rooted in the idea that good food doesn’t need to be complicated. I’m passionate about helping beginners find their footing in the kitchen, whether it’s teaching how to perfectly roast vegetables or conquer the fear of yeast dough.
I’ve burnt toast, over-salted stews, and once accidentally set a dish towel on fire (don’t ask)—but every mistake has made me a better, more empathetic cook. That’s what I want to pass along to you: it’s okay to mess up. The magic is in trying again, tweaking a little, and finding joy in the process.
So if you’re just starting out or still figuring out the difference between a sauté and a simmer, welcome. You’re in the right place. My kitchen is your kitchen—full of heart, a bit of mess, and always open to curious hands and hungry bellies.