Chef Stephanie L

Chef Stephanie grew up in Lynnfield, Massachusetts—specifically, in her mother’s childhood home, where they even shared the same bedroom years apart.

That deep-rooted sense of home and family carries into everything she does, especially in the kitchen. Cooking has always been her way of bringing people together, of stopping time for a moment so that the only thing that matters is the food on the table and the people enjoying it. She lives for that split second of silence when someone takes their first bite, followed by the inevitable sigh of satisfaction.

Her culinary journey started early, with a grandmother who encouraged her every step of the way. One of her most cherished memories is preparing a full multi-course meal for her family in middle school, making homemade pesto for the first time—a moment that solidified her love for food. She got her first job at a local bakery in high school, quickly falling for the world of pastry. Though she studied both pastry and savory cooking in culinary school, she pursued a pastry degree, spending a decade in the field before rediscovering her love for the savory side of the kitchen.

Stephanie’s talent and drive have taken her across the globe. During her junior year of college, she studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where she interned at an English-speaking bakery and competed in the Italian Culinary Championship, crafting a three-foot-tall, fully edible chocolate sculpture of Jack and the Beanstalk—earning a bronze medal and a feature in the competition’s magazine. A few years later, she was invited to bake for the prestigious TuttoToscana program at The James Beard House, spending a whirlwind week in New York City sourcing ingredients, cooking for 120 guests, and even spotting J.Lo at the supermarket.

Despite these incredible experiences, Stephanie’s favorite meal she’s ever cooked was her first Friendsgiving. It was the first time her friends saw her in her element, and her first time cooking a turkey—a perfect turkey, by the way. Sharing great food, reminiscing about years of friendship, and soaking in well-earned praise? Unbeatable.

Stephanie is happiest in the kitchen, whether she’s whipping up something sweet, making her signature soups (her family swears by the magic of soup for every occasion), or cooking up healthy, high-protein meals for the New England Patriots—yes, including Robert Kraft. When she’s not in her own kitchen, you can find her making a mess in her sister’s, thrifting for hidden gems, or binge-watching the most random TV shows she can find.

She shares her home with three cats—Leo, Alfredo, and Blue—who are not fans of her (admittedly terrible) Batman voice. As for her next adventure? She dreams of visiting Amsterdam or Iceland, but wherever she goes, one thing is certain: she’ll always feel at home in a kitchen.