Welcome to my kitchen!

Hi there, I’m Olivia Harper!

Food has always been the language of love in my family. I grew up in a small coastal town in Maine, where summers meant blueberry pies cooling on the porch and winters were warmed with hearty chowders. From an early age, I discovered that the kitchen wasn’t just a place to cook—it was where memories were made.

My mother taught me the comfort of traditional family recipes, while my curiosity pushed me to explore flavors far beyond our little town. As a teenager, I spent weekends experimenting—sometimes failing spectacularly, other times creating dishes that made my whole family smile. Those moments sparked my passion for cooking and the joy of sharing meals with others.

In college, I studied nutrition and food science, which gave me a deeper understanding of how ingredients nourish both the body and the soul. But my greatest lessons still came from real kitchens—working in local bakeries, shadowing chefs in bustling restaurants, and cooking side by side with home cooks who carried generations of culinary wisdom.

Today, I live in Austin, Texas with my husband, two kids, and a rescue dog who loves hanging out near the oven (just in case something tasty falls). Here at Yum & Delight, I share recipes that celebrate both comfort and creativity—quick weekday dinners, indulgent desserts, and healthier twists on classics.

Every recipe you’ll find here is crafted with love, a touch of storytelling, and plenty of flavor. My goal is to inspire you to step into the kitchen with confidence, to cook meals that bring people together, and to savor the little joys along the way.

So, whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned foodie, I invite you to join me on this delicious journey. Let’s create meals that don’t just feed us—but truly delight us.

With love,
Olivia Harper