Kardea Brown Is Tapping Into Her Gullah Geechee Roots In Her Forthcoming Sophomore Cookbook, ‘Make Do with What You Have’

Kardea Brown, the beloved co-host of ‘Kids Baking Championship’ and star of ‘The Delicious Miss Brown’, is set to release her sophomore cookbook, ‘Make Do with What You Have’, diving deep into her Gullah Geechee roots. At 37, Brown has had an eventful year, recently tying the knot with her partner Bryon Smith in a picturesque ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Reflecting on the joyous event, Brown shared, “It feels like it just happened yesterday. I’m trying to stay in that moment and enjoy the newlywed phase as long as possible. So, I’m really happy, we’re happy.”

The wedding was a celebration of heritage and culture, with a lavish spread that included a variety of seafood dishes like aguachile, alongside other delectable options. Brown ensured her guests were well-fed with buffet-style food stations, including a grill station, lamb station, seafood station, and a dessert table. The wedding cake, featuring dulce de leche and red velvet flavours, was a highlight created by a local cake artist. Brown’s multicultural wedding and her role as co-host on Kids Baking Championship have kept her flying high in recent months.

Reflecting on her experience as co-host on Kids Baking Championship, Brown shared some valuable advice she received from her predecessor, Valerie Bertinelli. Drawing from her background as a former grade school teacher and social worker, Brown brings a unique approach to her co-hosting role, aiming to strike a balance between nurturing and firm guidance for the young contestants on the show. Her transition to the new position was seamless, given her passion for food and working with children.

As she gears up for the release of her upcoming cookbook, ‘Make Do with What You Have’, Brown delves into her personal experiences growing up and learning valuable lessons from her mother and grandmother. The cookbook aims to inspire families, especially in the African-American community, to get creative in the kitchen even with limited resources. Drawing from her own upbringing where her mother made do with what they had, Brown hopes to empower others facing financial challenges to create delicious meals from simple ingredients.

Through her cookbook, Brown shares over 100 recipes that offer a glimpse into the culinary traditions of the Gullah Geechee people, incorporating both personal anecdotes and historical references. She believes that understanding the chef’s background is key to appreciating their recipes fully. Brown puts her own twist on classic Black American dishes, infusing them with modern flavours and techniques. She emphasises the importance of utilising what’s available in the kitchen to create satisfying and flavourful meals, even on a tight budget.

Brown’s cookbook not only showcases comfort foods but also includes surprising seafood-based options that cater to a variety of palates. She pays homage to her mother and grandmother by featuring recipes passed down through generations. As a descendant of the Gullah Geechee people, Brown sees the cookbook as a celebration of her roots and a means of preserving her family’s culinary legacy. Through this book, she hopes to document her ancestry and pass down stories and recipes for future generations, a privilege that wasn’t always afforded to Black Americans in the past.

‘Make Do with What You Have’ is set to hit the shelves on November 11, 2025, offering readers a culinary journey through Brown’s heritage and cultural influences. It serves as a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of cooking with love and resourcefulness. Brown’s personal touch and commitment to sharing her heritage shine through in this cookbook, promising to inspire home cooks and food enthusiasts alike to embrace their own culinary journeys.