About

Who I Am

I'm a 34-year-old food blogger living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the long winters have taught me the true value of a good comfort meal. I share my home with my husband Tom, our twin daughters Sophia and Lily (who just turned 6), and our cat Butterscotch, who has an uncanny ability to appear whenever I open a can of tuna.

I launched CreamyPot in 2018 as a creative outlet while working full-time as a project manager at a marketing agency. What started as a hobby blog where I shared my favorite cozy recipes has blossomed into my full-time passion and career since 2021.

My Story

I grew up in rural Wisconsin on my family's small dairy farm, where fresh cream, butter, and cheese were always abundant. My mother was an exceptional cook who could transform simple farm ingredients into the most comforting meals. Sunday dinners at our farmhouse table, surrounded by family and the aroma of something bubbling on the stove, shaped my entire approach to cooking.

My grandmother, who emigrated from Ireland in the 1950s, lived just down the road and taught me the art of making proper cream-based sauces, hearty stews, and the flakiest pastries. She believed that food was love made visible, and that a good meal could solve almost any problem. Those afternoons in her kitchen, learning her techniques and hearing her stories, became the foundation of everything I do today.

I studied business administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating in 2013. After college, I moved to Minneapolis for a job opportunity and spent seven years climbing the corporate ladder. But my evenings and weekends were always spent in the kitchen, experimenting with recipes and hosting dinner parties for friends who kept asking me to start a food blog.

In 2018, I finally took their advice and created CreamyPot. The name came from my obsession with creamy, comforting dishes and my collection of vintage cast iron and enamel pots. By 2021, the blog had grown enough that I could leave my corporate job and focus on recipe development full-time.

My Cooking Philosophy

At CreamyPot, I celebrate comfort food in all its creamy, cozy glory. I focus on recipes that feel like a warm hug on a cold day, the kind of food that brings people together around the table. My specialty is creating dishes with rich, satisfying flavors using accessible ingredients you can find at any grocery store.

I believe comfort food doesn't have to be complicated. The best dishes often come from simple techniques executed well, with quality ingredients that speak for themselves. I'm all about creamy pastas, hearty casseroles, comforting soups, indulgent baked goods, and slow-cooked meals that fill your home with amazing aromas.

My recipes are designed for real home cooks who want maximum flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. Most of my dishes come together in under an hour, though I also share plenty of slow cooker and make-ahead options for those extra-busy weeks.

What Makes CreamyPot Different

Every recipe on this site goes through rigorous testing in my home kitchen. I make each dish at least five times, adjusting seasonings, testing different techniques, and making sure the instructions are crystal clear. I also test with both premium and budget ingredients to ensure the recipes work regardless of where you shop.

My Midwestern roots mean I understand the importance of feeding a family on a reasonable budget. You won't find recipes here that require expensive specialty ingredients or equipment you'll only use once. I focus on pantry staples, seasonal produce, and techniques that work with the tools most home cooks already own.

I also include detailed recipe notes about substitutions, make-ahead instructions, and storage tips because I know how real life works. Sometimes you need to prep ahead, sometimes you're missing an ingredient, and sometimes you need to know if something freezes well.

My Specialties

I'm known for my creamy pasta recipes that rival any restaurant dish, from classic alfredo to innovative vegetable-forward sauces. My casserole recipes are perfect for potlucks and family gatherings, designed to feed a crowd without stress. I create comfort soups and chowders that are meal-worthy on their own, develop decadent desserts that are worth the calories, and share slow cooker recipes that do the work while you're busy with life.

I also have a soft spot for breakfast and brunch dishes, especially anything involving cream cheese, sour cream, or a good béchamel sauce. My followers often tell me my cheesy breakfast casseroles and creamy quiches have become their weekend staples.

Beyond the Kitchen

When I'm not recipe testing or photographing food, I'm usually spending time with my family exploring Minneapolis's incredible restaurant scene for inspiration. Tom and I love taking the twins to local farmers markets during the summer, where they've learned to pick out the best produce and even help me plan meals.

I'm an avid reader with a particular love for historical fiction and food memoirs. My cookbook collection has taken over an entire bookshelf, with well-worn favorites from Ina Garten, Nigella Lawson, and Dorie Greenspan. I also volunteer with a local food shelf organization, teaching cooking classes that focus on making nutritious, budget-friendly comfort meals.

In the winter months, you'll find me ice skating with the girls at our neighborhood rink, or cozied up inside with a good book and something simmering on the stove. Summer means grilling season, kayaking on Minnesota's lakes, and growing tomatoes and herbs in our backyard garden.

A Few Personal Details

I'm admittedly obsessed with vintage cookware and have a collection of Le Creuset pots in every color. My guilty pleasure is late-night baking sessions when the house is quiet. I drink way too much coffee, always with heavy cream. My perfect comfort meal is my grandmother's beef and Guinness stew with homemade soda bread. I've been known to eat pasta four nights a week without complaint, and I firmly believe there's no problem that can't be improved by adding cheese.

Let's Connect

I'd love to hear from you! Whether you've tried a recipe, have questions, or just want to say hello, feel free to reach out.

Email: [email protected]
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/creamypot
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creamypot

Happy cooking & welcome home!
— Emily Rhodes, creamypot.com