Hi! I’m Kate

I’ve been cooking since before I can remember, but my mother likes to credit my first attempts to about age 3. She would pull up a stool and allow me to pour in pre-measured ingredients like sugar and flour. My interest quickly took hold and soon she was letting me test my own creations in the kitchen. To this day, my mother and I still love to cook together, sharing recipes, tips and techniques.

From Learning to Cook in Rural Montana…

Growing up in a small rural community meant I lived close to much of my family. Sunday’s were usually spent at Grandma Muriel’s house gathered around the table. After my grandmother realized I enjoyed cooking, she took me under her wing and quickly taught me everything she knew – from pie and candy to fried chicken and gravy! (This earned me a coveted spot in the grandma’s kitchen during the holidays as the “gravy stirrer.”)

…to Creative Exploration in Portland

When I moved to Portland for art school, my love for food and creating delectable cuisine at home really began to ignite. Being able to dine in one of the best foodie cities in the US has driven me to be constantly inspired to push myself to learn new recipes and techniques.

Portland is also nestled next to one of the best wine regions in the US, giving me easy access to new wines and exciting pairings!

And now What’s On Kate’s Plate!

I live for the challenge of tasting a dish at a restaurant and then learning to recreate it at home. And that’s how What’s on Kate’s Plate was born!

Here I share recipes inspired by restaurants from around the globe for home chefs like you! Through tips and tricks I have picked up in my 30 plus years of cooking, I hope to make “fancy” home cooking more approachable and rewarding. Additionally, I happily incorporate my passion for wine and offer wine pairings for most of my recipes.

And if you love to travel too – check out my dining out and winery guides from some of my very favorite places!