Real Food. Real Love. Real Life.
Welcome to DineAndDig.com, where every recipe is a little piece of my heart—and yours too.
I’m Olivia Hayes, the cook, creator, and mom behind this cozy corner of the internet. I’m not a professional chef. I didn’t grow up in a restaurant kitchen. But I did grow up in a home where food meant everything: comfort, celebration, connection. And now, as a 35-year-old mom raising two growing kids with bottomless appetites, I see cooking as more than a task. It’s my art form. It’s how I nourish, love, and create memories—one meal at a time.
DineAndDig began as a passion project, a way to capture the recipes that made my family light up around the dinner table. What it’s become is something much more—a place for fellow home cooks to find doable, delicious food that fills the belly and feeds the soul.
What You’ll Find Here
You won’t find fussy plating, hard-to-pronounce ingredients, or four-hour marathons in the kitchen. What you will find is:
- Recipes with heart – homey meals like skillet dinners, baked pastas, and slow cooker comfort food that’s made to be shared.
- Everyday meals made beautiful – because I believe a well-cooked dish is a kind of love letter, even if it’s just Tuesday night dinner.
- Fun twists on family favorites – I love adding a little creativity to classics to keep things fresh and exciting.
- Real-life tested – every recipe is cooked in my own kitchen, often with a toddler hanging off one hip and a timer ticking down.
Cooking, for me, is never just about getting food on the table. It’s about the experience—from the aroma of garlic butter sizzling in the pan to the smiles after that first bite. If I can make you feel at home in your own kitchen, my work here is done.
Why “Dine and Dig”?
Because that’s what cooking is all about.
“Dine” is about the joy of sitting down, breaking bread, and connecting with the people you love.
“Dig” is the journey—the messy, creative, soulful work of putting a meal together. It’s the digging through old cookbooks, the digging into your pantry, and the digging deep for the energy to try again after a dinner flop.
Whether you’re digging into your favorite comfort dish or digging out of a cooking rut, this site is for you.
FAQs About DineAndDig.com
1. Who is Olivia Hayes?
I’m a self-taught home cook, lifelong food lover, and busy mom who believes that cooking is one of the most personal and powerful ways to love someone. I created DineAndDig to share honest recipes that bring joy to your table—without stressing you out.
2. What kinds of recipes do you share?
Everything from creamy one-pot pastas and hearty skillet dinners to feel-good soups, sweet treats, and fresh takes on nostalgic favorites. I mix in global flavors, seasonal ingredients, and quick meals that make weeknights easier.
3. Are your recipes beginner-friendly?
Absolutely. Whether you’re new to cooking or just looking for a little inspiration, my recipes come with step-by-step instructions and helpful notes. I want you to feel confident and proud every time you cook.
4. Do you offer healthy or special diet recipes?
Yes! While I lean into comfort food, you’ll also find lighter options, protein-packed meals, and simple swaps for low-carb or vegetarian needs. I believe balance is the secret ingredient in every happy kitchen.
5. How often do you post new recipes?
You can expect new recipes once or twice a week, along with updates to older favorites to keep them fresh and easy to follow. I’m always in the kitchen testing something delicious for you.
6. Can I request a recipe?
I’d love that. Whether it’s your grandma’s casserole you can’t quite recreate or a restaurant meal you’ve been dreaming about, send me a message or tag me @dineanddig. Your cravings inspire me!
Let’s Cook Together
If you’ve ever stared at the fridge wondering what to make, or if you’ve ever wished for just one recipe that actually works, I see you. I’ve been there. And that’s exactly why I built this site.
Every recipe on DineAndDig is made for real life: the spills, the noise, the imperfect but joyful moments of feeding the people you love.
So come on in. Let’s roll up our sleeves, stir something up, and make magic in the kitchen—together.
– Olivia
“Cooking isn’t just about feeding your body. It’s about filling your home with warmth, your heart with joy, and your life with flavor.”