Effective date 11/02/2025

Who We Are

Welcome to Top Chicken Eats, where comfort meets creativity in a celebration of one of the world’s most beloved ingredients—chicken. We’re passionate food storytellers, home chefs, and culinary educators who believe that delicious cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. Every recipe we share celebrates warmth, authenticity, and the simple joy of a home-cooked meal.

Born in a grandmother’s kitchen in Asheville, North Carolina, Top Chicken Eats has grown into a trusted destination for anyone who loves flavorful, comforting recipes that work every single time. From cozy Southern classics to bold global twists, our team is here to make your kitchen feel like the heart of your home.

Our Mission

To inspire confidence and creativity in every home cook through approachable, flavor-packed chicken recipes that bring people together. We make cooking simple, fun, and deeply satisfying—one dish, one story, and one shared meal at a time.

Our Vision

We envision a world where cooking isn’t just about feeding yourself—it’s about expressing care, preserving memories, and creating connection. Our vision is to become the internet’s warmest and most trusted destination for chicken recipes that inspire everyday cooks to fall in love with their kitchens again.

Our Values

Authenticity – Real ingredients, real kitchens, real stories.
Heart – Food made with emotion, not just instruction.
Simplicity – Recipes that fit your life, not complicate it.
Curiosity – Exploring flavors from every corner of the world.
Community – Because the best meals are the ones we share.

Our History

Top Chicken Eats began in 2021, when Lilya Lawson decided to turn her lifelong passion for home cooking into a platform for sharing authentic, flavorful recipes. What began as a personal blog honoring her grandmother’s Southern recipes quickly grew into a community loved by hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide.

By 2023, Top Chicken Eats had become a leading voice in approachable cooking, offering readers comfort-food classics alongside globally inspired dishes. In 2024, Lilya expanded the team to include three culinary professionals who bring new dimensions to the art of cooking chicken: nutrition, storytelling, and innovation.

Meet the Team

🍗 Lilya Lawson – Founder & Culinary Director
Based in Asheville, NC, Lilya is the creative heart of Top Chicken Eats. Her philosophy blends Southern roots with global inspiration, creating recipes that feel familiar yet fresh. She focuses on making home cooking joyful, flavorful, and deeply personal.

James Porter, head chef at TopChickenEats, standing confidently behind a roasted chicken.

👨‍🍳 James Porter – Food Writer & Culinary Historian
A Texas-born food journalist and cookbook researcher, James brings a deep love for the cultural stories behind every dish. His articles and recipes explore the heritage of Southern and international chicken dishes, connecting history with today’s kitchens.

🥗 Emma Brooks – Registered Dietitian & Flavor Strategist
Emma, based in Boston, merges nutrition science with comfort food creativity. Her balanced approach to flavor ensures every recipe nourishes both body and soul—proving healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up what you love.

Headshot of Emma, founder of TopChickenEats, smiling in a cozy kitchen with fresh vegetables in the background.
Sara, food photographer, styling a roasted chicken in natural sunlight.

📸 Sarah Bennett – Culinary Educator & Visual Storyteller
From Seattle, WA, Sarah combines her background in food education and photography to help readers cook with confidence. Her workshops, visuals, and how-to guides make even complex recipes feel approachable and fun.

Together, the Top Chicken Eats Team blends heart, expertise, and creativity—helping home cooks everywhere rediscover the beauty of simple, soulful meals.

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Our Promise

At Top Chicken Eats, we’ll continue sharing recipes that are honest, delicious, and full of heart—because food is more than what’s on the plate; it’s the story, the people, and the love that bring it to life.