Renae Wilson

Originally from South Carolina with family roots in East Texas, Renae has been based in Brooklyn for 13 years. A U.S. Navy vet, Renae used her Montgomery GI Bill to fund her culinary & pastry education at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York. Graduating in 2015, she has since worked as a private chef, freelanced in test kitchens developing in recipes, testing cookbooks for prominent authors, and catering. More recently, she made her debut in the pop-up world serving Southern comfort food under the name “Dear Henry”. A color and glitter enthusiast, her hobbies include budget traveling the world so that she can eat more, dancing, crocheting, engaging in various tomfoolery, baking, and frying the hell out of some chicken cutlets.
    The Super-Flavorful Cajun Side That's Famous All Over Louisiana
    It’s a must-try!
    Renae Wilson
    May 17, 2024
    How This New and Beautiful Cookbook Made Me Feel Closer to My Ancestors
    “As you read, you cannot help but to dance with your own kitchen ghosts.”
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 28, 2024
    My Southern Banana Cobbler Is So Ridiculously Good That I Make It on Repeat
    Fruit cobbler meets banana pudding.
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 24, 2024
    We’ve Got the Secret to the Crispiest Baked Chicken Wings
    I’ve never really met a chicken wing that I didn’t like. No matter the type, though, crispy skin is a must. Getting the skin nicely browned and blistered isn’t difficult at all. It just requires a little time and a staple pantry item: baking powder. Baking powder is the secret ingredient that makes the best crispy chicken wings for your next game day party or weeknight dinner. We bake them in the oven here, but you can also cook the chicken wings in your air fryer.
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 8, 2024
    Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Will Be Gone Before You Know It
    These will be gone before you know it.
    Renae Wilson
    Jan 18, 2024
    Classic Navy Bean Soup Is Pure Comfort in a Bowl
    Happy soup season, everyone!
    Renae Wilson
    Dec 5, 2023
    Southern Thanksgiving Punch Is So Good, Your Friends Will Demand It Every Year
    It's the perfect boozy drink.
    Renae Wilson
    Nov 19, 2023
    My Great-Granny's Carrot Bread Is One of My Most Cherished Family Recipes
    "Great-granny Jestine always cooked the house down for our holidays in her tiny country kitchen."
    Renae Wilson
    Mar 10, 2023
    Thick and Hearty Gumbo Z’Herbes Represents Community and Love
    The time and effort is worthwhile when someone digs into a bowl of my gumbo and says that eating it makes them feel cared for.
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 26, 2023
    Who Is Edna Lewis? Here Are 5 Things to Know About the Grande Dame of Southern Cooking.
    Here's what you need to know about the renowned chef.
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 11, 2023
    Beef on Weck Will Ruin You for All Other Roast Beef Sandwiches
    We dare you not to swoon over this tender, slow-roasted beef stacked on a toasted roll.
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 8, 2023
    Butter Pecan Pound Cake Gives Major Ice Cream Vibes
    This buttery pecan cake delivers that classic Southern flavor.
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 5, 2023
    I Tried the French Toast Breakfast Uncrustables Recipe and I Only Wish I’d Made More
    "It was perfectly savory and the buttery cinnamon and sugary bread was absolute heaven."
    Renae Wilson
    Sep 23, 2022
    I Tried No-Bake Mango Pie and It’s So Good, I’ll Be Making It Way Beyond Summer
    The best part? It doesn't require an oven!
    Renae Wilson
    Sep 4, 2022
    I Tried This Single-Serve Version of Berry Crostata and It’s the One Recipe I Wish I’d Known About Sooner
    It's a micro-bake fit for a queen and I can see myself making this often enough that it becomes second nature.
    Renae Wilson
    Aug 14, 2022
    I Tried the Trending Korean-Style Watermelon Punch Recipe and I Was Surprised at How Refreshing It Is
    "I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel as this recipe seemed as if it would be super sweet. Thankfully, however, that was not the case at all."
    Renae Wilson
    Jul 20, 2022
    How to Make Extra-Crunchy Nashville Hot Chicken at Home
    You'll fall in love with the brine alone.
    Renae Wilson
    Jun 24, 2022
    No-Churn Hibiscus Sherbet Is Pretty, Easy, and Perfect for a Party
    No ice cream machine? No problem!
    Renae Wilson
    Jun 19, 2022
    I Tried Social Media’s “Fancy” Mushroom Toast and I Won’t Hesitate to Make It Again
    "It feels so luxurious to eat."
    Renae Wilson
    Jun 8, 2022
    I Found Out Pink Grits Exist — So, of Course, I Had to Try Them
    Groceries
    Here's my honest review.
    Renae Wilson
    May 31, 2022
    I Tried the Viral Method for Keeping Avocados from Turning Brown
    The hack involves storing whole avocados in water.
    Renae Wilson
    May 26, 2022
    I Tried Samin Nosrat’s Breakfast Congee, and I Wanted to Climb into the Bowl
    It's the coziest, most comforting thing you can feed yourself for breakfast.
    Renae Wilson
    May 26, 2022
    I Tried Hetty McKinnon’s Condensed Milk French Toast, and It’s a Creamy, Dreamy Delight
    You can skip the maple syrup, because this is pure perfection on its own.
    Renae Wilson
    May 20, 2022
    I Tried Maggie Zhu’s Mala Chicken Recipe and It Engaged All My Senses
    "If you’re an adventurous eater that likes to have all your senses engaged when you eat, I highly recommend adding this to your recipe lineup."
    Renae Wilson
    May 8, 2022
    I Tried This Popular Strawberry Delight Recipe and It’s a Dessert Worthy of Your Time
    "I did enjoy the flavor of it as it produced a much more tart than sweet taste — which I found to be delightful."
    Renae Wilson
    Apr 13, 2022
    This New Startup Aims to Help You Find Cheaper Groceries
    It's noted to be "the Kayak of groceries."
    Renae Wilson
    Mar 8, 2022
    These Are 10 of the Best Black Chefs and Bakers Currently Heating Up Social Media
    From sweet treats to cuisine filled with culture, these chefs and bakers are worth tapping the follow button for.
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 28, 2022
    Whoopie Pies
    Soft, sweet, and packed with creamy vanilla filling.
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 20, 2022
    Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
    Hot, spicy, gooey goodness.
    Renae Wilson
    Feb 19, 2022
    Hot Water Cornbread
    It only requires a few ingredients and comes together quickly.
    Renae Wilson
    Jan 26, 2022
    Chicken Bog
    Get to know the popular South Carolina rice dish.
    Renae Wilson
    Jan 20, 2022
    Cherry Pistachio Dump Cake
    You don't need any mixers, mixing bowls, or even spoons.
    Renae Wilson
    Jan 17, 2022
    Pulled Pork & Chicken Brunswick Stew
    The best way to use up leftover chicken and/or pulled pork.
    Renae Wilson
    Dec 26, 2021
    Homemade Cajun Seasoning
    It's a weeknight dinner hero.
    Renae Wilson
    Dec 20, 2021
    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
    Is there anything an air fryer can't do?
    Renae Wilson
    Dec 14, 2021
    Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
    The sweet and smoky apps are irresistible.
    Renae Wilson
    Nov 30, 2021