Hi, I’m Lydia

I’ve been in the kitchen as long as I can remember. Raised by a mom who faithfully gardened and cooked three meals a day, my earliest memories involve kneading whole wheat bread, roasting chicken, and picking sun-warmed tomatoes in the backyard. In 2020 I began as a chef’s apprentice, worked with multiple small catering companies, and have since branched into building the Rooted Chef.

I’ve found the joy of cooking as an act of service, a means for gathering and connecting people of all backgrounds, and also an avenue for immense healing in the body.

At the end of high school I began to experience many unexplained health issues, including chronic fatigue, brain fog, and extreme dizziness. These conditions deeply affected my quality of life and made it difficult to find to energy even to search for answers. Thankfully, with the help of a holistic doctor I began a journey of gut healing, changing my diet completely and seeing rapid improvement.

Maybe your doctor is telling you, “Cut out the refined sugar!” or “Eat the rainbow!” but you simply don’t know how to create meals that are satisfying. I’ve been there. Food restrictions can leave you feeling flustered (and hungry!). I am not a doctor, but I’ve had years of experience cooking for dietary restrictions, allergies, and sensitivities.

Now I am passionate about empowering people to eat what best supports their body and delights their soul.