Born in the mountains of western North Carolina, Lauren grew up eating Southern Appalachian fare. About a decade ago, she began writing about the food that raised her, publishing articles in Blue Ridge Country, Smoky Mountain Living, and more. Today, she lives outside of Asheville with her wife, who is the executive chef of a Southern-inspired gastropub. When the two aren't brainstorming seasonal menu items, they're hiking to some lonely peak to eat a fancy cheese sandwich.