My name is Sami, the creator of Golden Hour Kitchen.

I have loved to cook for as long as I’ve known. My Grandma Jill first taught me how to make drop biscuits when I was in elementary school. I made countless batches of these biscuits (and gravy, of course) and the rest was history! I have the best memories making pierogis, pasta sauces, long-braised short ribs, and so many more meals with my Grandma. It is to her that I owe the profound joy I have from cooking, which has led me to share that joy with those around me.

In high school, I got my hands on my first cookbook, Run Fast. Eat Slow. by Shalane Flanagan and Elise Kopecky (fitting given my love of running!). I remember reading that cookbook front to back multiple times a day, writing menus based off of the recipes. I felt so inspired by each recipe and wanted to cook every single one. It was at this time that I got a bit more experimental in the kitchen, too. I loved making plant-based recipes with lots of greens and fresh produce.

In college, I had my first taste of cooking completely for myself. While I loved the independence, preparing meals for just one person felt a bit limiting when all I wanted to do was cook more. Whenever I had a chance to cook for a crowd, I took it! I loved making a big lasagna for a house full of friends, hearty bowls while on group trips, and even a few cakes for engagement and bachelorette parties. I learned through these experiences that cooking is how I care for, nourish, and honor the people around me.

I currently live in South Minneapolis with my husband, where cooking remains a very central part of our lives. We recently started our first garden, and I’ve loved implementing my own homegrown ingredients in my recipes. In my spare time, I love to go on walks, read, and rate lattes at local coffee shops.

I created Golden Hour Kitchen because dinner should not just be another item on the to-do list, but the sweetest part of your day. My hope is to serve innovative, wholesome meals to my clients so they can step away from the kitchen and focus on what matters most during their golden hour: connecting with the people they love.