About The Author
Hey Y’all!!
I’m Monique, the voice and creator behind Divas Can Cook! Here you’ll find the BEST authentic Southern recipes, but that’s not all! We’re reviving old traditions, building cooking confidence, and bringing family and friends back to the table to enjoy classic dishes!
As one of the first video food bloggers, I’ve had the absolute joy and privilege of sharing Southern and soul food recipes right here from my kitchen in North Carolina since 2009. With each video and every recipe I publish, my hope is to make Southern cooking feel fun, fearless, and totally doable, no matter your skill level.
I know how intimidating those beloved, passed-down soul food recipes can feel, especially when Grandma never wrote anything down or used measurements. That’s why I’ve spent years testing and perfecting these classics (along with my Grandma Barb) so that you don’t have to guess your way through. Before you know it, you’ll be the go-to cook in the family. (Okay, maybe not better than Grandma, but definitely a close second!)
Whether you’re learning how to make your very first pound cake, tackling homemade collard greens, or mastering the secrets behind fluffy buttermilk biscuits, I’m right here, guiding you step-by-step. Grab a recipe and let’s get started! You got this, let’s cook!
How it Began
Monique discovered her love for cooking at an early age, nestled in the heart of her grandmother Barb’s cozy Southern kitchen.
Many of her childhood afternoons were spent at the kitchen table, completing homework while listening to the sound of buttermilk chicken frying, the squeak of the rolling pin rolling over biscuit dough, and her grandmother joyfully humming gospel hymns.
It was there, at that kitchen table, that Monique fell in love with the rhythm, warmth, and soul of all things Southern cuisine.
Motivated by the cherished tradition of home-cooked meals and the challenge of finding reliable Southern recipes online, Monique launched Divas Can Cook.
Her mission was simple: to share thoroughly tested, approachable Southern recipes that folks from all walks of life could create and come back to over and over again.
Through nostalgic, feel-good dishes, she hopes to inspire the same sense of ease, confidence, and joy in the kitchen that her grandmother passed down to her.
Over The Years
Since 2009, Monique, a self-taught cook, has created and published a library of over 600 online recipes, each featuring step-by-step video cooking tutorials. Her contest-winning recipes are a go-to source for millions of home cooks worldwide.
She has collaborated with a variety of popular food brands, including Fisher Nuts, Coca-Cola, Crisco, and Pillsbury, as well as partnered with major retailers like Target and Walmart.
Monique and her tried-and-true recipes have been featured across numerous media platforms , including TV One, Forbes, Black Enterprise Magazine, Women’s Day Magazine, USA Today, Dr. Oz Show, and Ebony Magazine (Oct/Nov 2016 Edition).
In 2021, she created her own media company and independently published her first cookbook, which has sold over 10,000 copies and continues to resonate with readers seeking authentic, perfected Southern recipes.
Home Life
When Monique isn’t creating content for Divas Can Cook, she can be found homeschooling her children, creating her suburban homestead, and working on DIY projects with her husband.
Fun Fact: Before starting Divas Can Cook, Monique owned and operated a pet clothing store called Cookie’s Closet.
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