Kardea Brown

Food Network star and New York Times bestselling author Kardea Brown returns with her second cookbook, packed with over 100 budget-friendly recipes perfect for family meals and old-school favorites inspired by her Gullah heritage.

Known for her hit Food Network series, Delicious Miss Brown, which reaches over 3.5 million viewers, Kardea draws from her experience growing up in a single-parent household to turn pantry staples into soulful, satisfying meals. As families look to stretch their budgets, this timely guide proves that great cooking doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Brown blends heritage, practicality, and joy into every recipe, inspiring home cooks to create delicious meals using everyday ingredients.

With over 100 stunning full-color photos, Make Do with What You Have is also a heartfelt tribute to Kardea’s low country Gullah-Geechee culture. She offers budget-conscious tips along with cherished family recipes, making these dishes accessible to home cooks while celebrating the rich culinary traditions of the Sea Islands and the broader Black Southern experience.

Make Do with What You Have is more than just a collection of recipes, it’s a celebration of family, culture, and the joy of creating memorable meals from simple, everyday ingredients. Kardea Brown invites readers to savor the flavors of her cuisine and brings pantry-staple favorites back to the table, proving that great meals are always within reach.

Kardea Brown is a contemporary Southern cook and the author of the New YorkTimes bestseller The Way Home. She created the pop-up New Gullah Supper Club, where her menu pays homage to the dishes her grandmother and mother passed down to her. She is the host of the hit show Delicious Miss Brown and the popular Kids Baking Championship. She previously judged Kids Baking Championship and Spring Baking Championship and co-hosted seasonal specials, including Kids Baking Championship Thanksgiving in 2023. Kardea lives in Charleston, South Carolina.