Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Mullis.
Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a forever food lover. The whole experience surrounding food brings me so much joy. I thrive from eating, creating, tasting, cooking, sharing a meal with others, and trying any and all restaurants. It’s such an adventure every time! To me, food brings people together. It is created for nourishment but creates community. The conversations, laughter, tears, and connection it can bring is so powerful. It’s an intimate experience.
Growing up, my mom required that we have family dinner together at the table every night. It’s where we sat and ate and shared and laughed and listened to each other. It’s where we came together. The kitchen is where the family gathered. Where conversations, connection, and even disagreements happened. It was loud and chaotic, and I loved it. It was where everything happened. It’s the heart of the home.
I’ve always loved watching family create in the kitchen. I remember being a small child sitting on the counter watching my grandmother’s hands as she kneaded dough. I was enthralled. Or watching my mother nonchalantly throw together the most spectacular meal fit for a Michelin starred restaurant. My grandparents are from Sicily, Italy, and my mother is from Paris, France. Cooking comes as a second nature to the women in my family. And oh can we eat. It’s what we do. We eat and sip and laugh and cook together. I like to think it’s in our blood.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it’s not always smooth. And it takes dedication and devotion. I’ve had to play around with it a bit. It’s not perfect, but it’s real. Not all food looks great on camera, even though it may taste amazing. Lighting can be off. A photo can be blurry. The angle can be unappealing. And trying to cook while photo and video documenting can be frustrating and exhausting! And you already know I’m that girl at the table prepping for a quick photoshoot before we dig in. People can get impatient and irritated! But there’s so much beauty and art in food whether I’ve created it at home or it’s a beautifully plated meal at a fancy restaurant. I love to share all!
We’d love to hear more about your work.
My passion for the food experience is really a love language. Cooking is such an expressive art form for me. And with my background in graphic design and photography, it has really become a creative platform for me to share with others. I began my Instagram account @spooningandforkingwithash to separate my food obsession from my personal page. @spooningandforkingwithash has grown into a creative platform for me to share cooking tips, recipe ideas, and restaurant experiences. It’s lighthearted and real. It’s not health or diet focused by any means. It’s meant for fun for those interested in learning different things about cooking and also about restaurants all over the world, whether it be down the street in Atlanta or while traveling locally or abroad.
I’m known to those closest to me as the foodie. I’m the one who plans and cooks for family get-togethers. I’m the one who people consult for restaurant recommendations for all different types of occasions. I keep a categorized spreadsheet and Google Map of places that I love, as well as want to try, both locally and out of town. My friends are always saying, “Check the spreadsheet!” when we plan dinner dates or trips out of town. It’s always a fun, new adventure! I like contributing to the experience. And there are other possibilities in the works. I’ve had a lot of people ask for me to host cooking classes. So there’s definitely a lot more to explore! Stay tuned!
I like that @spooningandforkingwithash is strictly about food. It’s about eating and cooking and community. It’s not about health or diet or exercise. I want it to be free and fun and light.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Passion and vulnerability. I just go for it. I just want to share my love of food with others. It’s not perfect, but it’s real. Not every photo looks amazing. I don’t fix my hair or makeup before I’m in a photo or video. I don’t rehearse what I’m going to say. I just do it. It’s just me. I don’t know how my posts or stories will be received, but it’s real life! I can only be myself, and I feel that’s the most relatable.
Contact Info:
- Email: spooningandforkingwithash@gmail.com
- Instagram: @spooningandforkingwithash
- Facebook: @spooningandforkingwithash
Image Credit:
@spooningandforkingwithash
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