Ashley Christensen's Pride Of Place

About Ashley Christensen

Ashley Christensen is a two-time James Beard Award winning chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author from Raleigh, North Carolina, who has a way of taking classic Southern dishes and making them the talk of the food world. She grew up with parents who loved to cook, entertain, and play music in the kitchen, and Ashley has channeled that spirit of hospitality into her restaurants like Poole's Diner and Death & Taxes. At home, she and her wife, Kaitlyn Goalen, love to cook together too, and they’ve also authored two cookbooks, including 2021’s It’s Always Freezer Season.

What Ashley Christensen Talks About On This Episode

• Her infatuation with grilling
• Growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina
• Writing a cookbook
• Her love for cooking at home
• Music in the kitchen
• Taking classic Southern dishes and making them iconic in the food world
• Channeling hospitality in her diners
• Plans to renovate Poole's

Quotes From Ashley Christensen

"Part of my draw to the concept of diner is that, when I was a child, my father was a truck driver, and when he would find himself in a new city, he always kind of looked for the glow of a diner as he pulled into town. For him, it wasn't just about what he would eat, it was about how he felt when he walked into a diner. And this idea of a place for everyone. And this idea of comfort as a through line." -Ashley Christensen

About Biscuits & Jam

In the South, talking about food is personal. It's a way of sharing your history, your family, your culture, and yourself. Each week Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living, sits down with celebrity musicians to hear stories of how they grew up, what inspired them, and how they've been shaped by Southern culture. Sid takes us back to some of their most cherished memories and traditions, the family meals they still think about, and their favorite places to eat on the road.Download and listen to this episode of Biscuits & Jam with Ashley Christensen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or everywhere podcasts are available.

Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors.