About Sheila- family recipes, meal ministry & gathering around the table.

Hi, I’m sheila! I’ve lived in West Michigan nearly my whole life, and for the past 31 years I’ve shared life with my husband, Ken. Together we’ve raised four amazing children, and through the years our home has always been filled with food, laughter, and people around the table.

I started Eat2gather in 2010, because I believe connection is at the heart of the human experience and I wanted to encourage others to get back to the dinner table together for mealtime. Sharing a meal-whether it’s a simple weeknight dinner, a potluck with friends, or a home-cooked meal delivered in love- is one of the most powerful ways to build relationships. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. The goal is gathering.

Why I blog

Here, you will find family recipes, comfort food favorites, easy meals, meal ministry ideas, book club updates, and travel adventures. I love helping people feel at ease and confident in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking for practical tips to host without stress, simple recipes that feed a crowd, or encouragement for starting your own meal ministry, this is the place to be!

It’s a proven fact that kids who sit down to a meal with their family at least twice a week are more confident and more resilient to what the world throws at them. Gathering together for mealtime is important! I hope that the recipes and experiences I share here encourage you to make some food and gather people around your table!

Food has a way of bringing people together, and my dream is to inspire you to open your home and heart, around your own table, with people you love (and maybe even new friends. You’ll grow to love!).

A little more about me

• I love to feed people-it’s my love language. As you can see from the photo above I have been cooking for a long time!
• Traveling, reading, and spending time with my family are my favorite ways to recharge.
• When I’m not in the kitchen, I’m probably planning our next vacation, eating out (because I love to try new restaurants), watching T.V. with Kenny we love to watch movies and series together, or I’m at our cottage in northern Michigan just chillin’.
• I spent a year abroad in Germany as an exchange student after high school.
• Our fourth child came into our lives through the gift of adoption.

Let’s Connect!

I love cooking, I love gathering people around the table, and I love sharing good food with others. If your brand, product, or message fits with what Eat2Gather is all about, I’d love to hear from you!

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with brands and organizations including United Dairy Industry of Michigan, American Dairy Mideast, Best Food Facts, Produce for Kids, Clean Plate Club with Stonyfield, Nielsen-Massey, and others. I’m always interested in partnering with companies and organizations whose products and values naturally fit with the Eat2Gather brand and my community.

And while I’m not a trained chef—and have never claimed to be!—I’ve been cooking for nearly my entire life. I’ve learned by doing, feeding my family and friends, trying new recipes, and saying yes to opportunities to learn. I’ve taken cooking classes at places like the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, as well as cooking classes around the world during our travels. I’m endlessly curious about food and always learning something new.

If you’re interested in collaborating, I’d love to connect and see what we might create together. My goal is always to work with brands in an authentic way, creating content that feels useful, approachable, and true to the Eat2Gather community.

And if you’re not here looking to collaborate—if you simply wandered over because you wanted to know who I am and what Eat2Gather is all about—I’d love to hear from you, too! Leave a comment on a favorite recipe, send me an email, or reach out on any of my social media platforms.

Food is always better when it brings people together. I’d love to connect with you.