About
About Me
Hello! I’m Hana Bel, Founder of Empirecipe
I’m Hana Bel, a 38-year-old American woman, mother of two adorable daughters, and a lifelong kitchen enthusiast. My love for cooking began when I was just a little girl. The moment I held a wooden spoon in my tiny hands, I knew the kitchen would be my sanctuary. This passion didn’t come from culinary school or formal training—it’s a treasured inheritance passed down from my mother, and all the women who came before her.
I grew up in the countryside, surrounded by simplicity, fresh ingredients, and honest flavors. My childhood memories are filled with magical moments in the kitchen—gathering herbs from our backyard garden, standing on a stool beside my mother and grandmother as they prepared heartwarming traditional meals, and absorbing the comfort that only homemade food can bring. These early experiences shaped my deep, emotional connection with food. To me, cooking isn’t just about nourishment—it’s storytelling, an expression of love, and the thread that brings people together.
Everything I know about cooking comes from practice, curiosity, plenty of mistakes, and above all—passion. Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours creating recipes, tweaking ingredients, exploring global cuisines, and falling deeper in love with the art of cooking.
About Me
Hello! I’m Hana Bel, Founder of Empirecipe
I’m Hana Bel, a 38-year-old American woman, mother of two adorable daughters, and a lifelong kitchen enthusiast. My love for cooking began when I was just a little girl. The moment I held a wooden spoon in my tiny hands, I knew the kitchen would be my sanctuary. This passion didn’t come from culinary school or formal training—it’s a treasured inheritance passed down from my mother, and all the women who came before her.
I grew up in the countryside, surrounded by simplicity, fresh ingredients, and honest flavors. My childhood memories are filled with magical moments in the kitchen—gathering herbs from our backyard garden, standing on a stool beside my mother and grandmother as they prepared heartwarming traditional meals, and absorbing the comfort that only homemade food can bring. These early experiences shaped my deep, emotional connection with food. To me, cooking isn’t just about nourishment—it’s storytelling, an expression of love, and the thread that brings people together.
Everything I know about cooking comes from practice, curiosity, plenty of mistakes, and above all—passion. Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours creating recipes, tweaking ingredients, exploring global cuisines, and falling deeper in love with the art of cooking.
Empirecipe was born from this love—not just for food, but for sharing it. This site is more than a collection of recipes. It’s a piece of my heart, my heritage, and my journey as a home cook. I wanted to create a warm, welcoming space where anyone—from kitchen newcomers to seasoned cooks—can find inspiration, encouragement, and real, doable recipes made with simple ingredients and plenty of love.
As a mom, I’m now passing this passion to my daughters. I want them to grow up knowing the kitchen is a place of creativity, tradition, and joy. That food has the magical power to connect, to heal, and to transform ordinary moments into something special.
Thank you for being here and joining me on this flavorful journey. I hope my recipes and stories bring warmth to your kitchen and inspire you to fall in love with cooking—just as I did so many years ago.