The Heart Behind the Recipes
Hey, Y’all! I’m Andrea Lynn — the heart behind The Paper Plate Gourmet.
For years, friends & family told me I should start a recipe blog. It was a thought that lived in my mind for forever, but I never knew where to begin. As 2024 was about to come to a close, I felt like I needed to make some changes & I decided to take a leap of faith and go all in on my dream. One night, standing in the kitchen (because, where else would I be?) frustrated & unsure how to start, I joked to my husband, “What am I supposed to do, just film myself cooking dinner & call myself The Paper Plate Gourmet?” Well, it stuck – and a week later I launched my Instagram page.
Food has been a love of mine since I was a child. I have memories of baking chocolate chip cookies after school on Friday afternoons with my neighbor, being excited for Uncle Eddie’s breakfasts when we went to the mountains…I was the kid that spent all her money at the church bazaar’s tasting table and every penny on the Swedish fish & chicken salad sandwiches at the carnival.
When my husband enrolled in culinary school, food became an even bigger part of our lives. The kitchen has always been where my heart feels at home — a place where I can bring joy to those around me through food — and now I get to share that joy with y’all, too.
Beyond the Plate
My goal is to create food that anyone can make, no matter what their level of experience is in the kitchen. My recipes are approachable, use ingredients you can find almost anywhere & they are simply delicious. They may look gourmet, but they’re easy enough to serve right on a paper plate.
What makes my food fun is the balance between “fancy food feels” and “real-life simple” vibes. I love taking classic favorites and giving them a twist that elevates them & makes them special without making them complicated.
Simply Delicious
To me, “Simply Delicious” embodies everything I want to share with y’all:
food that is uncomplicated & never intimidating.
Meals that are affordable & made with easy-to-find ingredients.
Dishes that save time in the kitchen & money at the grocery store…
all without sacrificing flavor.
That’s what The Paper Plate Gourmet is all about – creating recipes that feel special but are simple enough to pop right onto a paper plate.
Outside of the Kitchen
I grew up in a big Polish-American family where food & traditions went hand in hand. My great-grandmother made traditional polish dishes during the holidays, and every summer we’d celebrate & dance the polka until we could barely breathe at Polish festivals. Those memories shaped the way I see food — not just as something we fuel our bodies with, but something that connects us.
When Douglas & I first got married, I honestly didn’t know much about cooking. I could make grilled cheese or scramble an egg but that was about it. Most of what I’ve learned came from trial & error – and countless hours watching Food Network. Over time, cooking became my passion, baking became my therapy, and now it is something I can’t imagine my life without.
I am also Mamma to 3 incredibly amazing adult children. My oldest lives in Tokyo with his husband, my daughter lives about an hour away with her fiance & my youngest is at home (and truthfully, I’d be perfectly happy if he stayed here forever).
My Why: The Heart of It All
My husband & children are my biggest “why.” They are the reason I do what I do. My dream is to create content full-time so I can have the freedom to spend time with them whenever & wherever, without being tied to a desk.
I want the flexibility to book a last-minute ticket to Japan to hang out with my sweet son & my dear son-in-law, spend a carefree afternoon at the dog park with my daughter & her fiance, or simply enjoying a day of thrifting & lunch with my youngest without asking anyone for a vacation day.
At the end of the day, this is the vision that motivates & drives me forward. It’s why I pour so much love & intention into every recipe I create & every story I share. Because, for me, food is more than just what’s on the plate — it’s about connection, joy, and freedom.
Now, go love every bite!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Pie
Everything you love about a thick & rich peanut butter cookie and a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie all jammed into one flakey, buttery crust. That is exactly what this Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookie Pie is! Top it off with some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and prepare to be going back for a second slice–maybe even a third! You can find the recipe under “Sweets” on the recipe page.
