Kardea Brown is set to inspire readers with her new cookbook, Make Do with What You Have, which reflects her life and cultural background. The host of Delicious Miss Brown has had quite a year, recently celebrating her marriage to Bryon Smith in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Brown describes her wedding as a truly memorable event, sharing, “It feels like it just happened yesterday. I’m trying to enjoy being a newlywed as long as possible.” The wedding featured a buffet with a rich variety of dishes that honored the local culinary traditions, including seafood like aguachile and grilled options that left guests feeling satisfied.
The cake was a special touch, created by a local baker with a bottom layer of dulce de leche and a red velvet top, which is Brown’s favorite.
In addition to her personal milestones, Brown has been busy as the new co-host of Kids Baking Championship, alongside Duff Goldman. She emphasizes the importance of balancing encouragement and discipline for the young contestants, drawing from her past experiences as a teacher and social worker.
As she prepares for the release of her second book, Brown’s new project dives deeper into her heritage, particularly as it relates to the Gullah Geechee people. Following her first successful cookbook, The Way Home, her upcoming work focuses on lessons learned from her family about making the most out of what you have.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Brown shares how her single mother often had to be resourceful. “If we wanted a burger, we might not have gotten a fast-food chain’s version, but we made do with what was at home,” she recalls. Highlighting the struggles many families face, she aims to provide practical meal solutions for those dealing with tight budgets.
Brown’s cookbook offers 100 recipes that blend her cultural roots with practical cooking tips, making it accessible for everyone, whether seasoned cooks or beginners. She emphasizes that recipes become more meaningful when you understand the chef’s background, which is why she shares her personal story in the book.
She believes in enhancing classic Black American dishes with her own twist while ensuring they remain true to their roots. Several seafood dishes will also be included, aiming to introduce affordability to those usually unable to access such options.
Kardea Brown sees her work as a way to celebrate her heritage and pass down the recipes that have shaped her family for generations. She notes the painful reality that many in her family were unable to document their culinary traditions. Her mission is to ensure that these stories and recipes are preserved and shared moving forward.
Make Do with What You Have is set to hit the shelves on November 11, 2025, marking another step in Brown’s journey to connect people through food and tradition.
