Simply LaKita

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About

Welcome to Simply LaKita!

Hey there, I'm LaKita Anderson, and I'm so glad you stopped by! Simply LaKita is your go-to source for modern comfort food. Approachable, flavorful recipes inspired by Southern roots, classic family traditions, and a love for great food.

My Southern Story

I was raised in the Northwest Panhandle, Florida, where I spent my childhood in my grandmother's kitchen, the heart of our family. I can still picture myself standing on a milk crate to reach the counter, watching my grandmother work her magic with her beloved cast-iron skillet. She made everything in that skillet, biscuits, cornbread, fried chicken, and even desserts. That cast-iron skillet always had a special place on her stove, and being allowed to cook alongside her taught me early on that the kitchen is where love and tradition live.

My mother taught me how to read a recipe, measure ingredients properly, and master the fundamentals of Southern cooking. Those Sunday afternoons learning to make her signature pound cakes and understanding the "why" behind each step shaped not just my cooking, but who I am today. She also taught me the golden rule: never, under any circumstances, place a cast-iron skillet in the dishwasher.

After college, armed with only a hamburger recipe and dozens of family recipes written on note cards, I started my real cooking journey. What began in 2013 as a simple blog to archive those cherished family recipes has grown into a full-time business serving over 1.5 million home cooks annually.

overhead view of finished chicken and vegetables in cast iron skillet on marble surface

My Expertise & Experience

12+ Years of Recipe Development: Since 2013, I've been developing, testing, and refining recipes, ensuring they're simple, approachable, and packed with the flavors you crave. Some recipes, like my small-batch cinnamon rolls, took three months of weekly testing to perfect.

Professional Food Photography: I capture real, home-cooked food with high-quality step-by-step visuals using a Canon 6D Mark II, 24-70mm, and 24-105mm lenses, edited in Lightroom & Photoshop. My photography style showcases comfort food in an honest, approachable way that guides you through every recipe.

Background in Project Management: Before becoming a full-time food blogger in 2016, I worked in corporate project management, skills that now help me manage every recipe, brand partnership, and piece of content as its own carefully executed project.

Small Business Advocacy: I've worked with Internet for Growth, Connected Commerce Council, and Google Small Business to advocate for small business interests in digital policy. This work has led me to speak before the Florida Senate Rules Committee, participate in a Capitol Hill briefing panel, and meet with U.S. Senators and Representatives to discuss the impact of digital advertising policy on small publishers and businesses.

Industry Recognition & Featured Work

My work and expertise have been recognized across major media outlets and industry platforms:

Featured In:

Speaking Engagements & Advocacy:

Podcast Appearances:

Professional Affiliations:

What Makes Simply LaKita Different

Close up side view of hand holding fried tomato over bowl of sauce.

I specialize in taking traditional Southern comfort food and making it accessible for today's busy home cooks. That means:

  • Simplified recipes that don't sacrifice flavor
  • Fewer ingredients without compromising authenticity
  • Step-by-step photos so you never feel lost
  • Tried-and-true family recipes passed down through generations
  • Modern twists on nostalgic classics

From Crispy Fried Chicken and Cornbread Dressing to No-Bake Chocolate Delight and quick skillet dinners, my goal is to help you create delicious, home-cooked meals with confidence.

Meet the Simply LaKita Team

Simply LaKita has grown into a family-run business, and I couldn't do it alone! My son, Michael, is now the Operations Manager for Simply LaKita. He helps oversee the behind-the-scenes details to keep everything running smoothly.

Together, we continue to grow and expand Simply LaKita while keeping the same commitment to high-quality recipes and authentic storytelling that started it all.

Want to Work Together?

I collaborate with brands on:

  • Sponsored content
  • Recipe development
  • Food photography
  • Brand partnerships & campaigns

Contact: Email LaKita at lakita@simplylakita.com for inquiries. A media kit is available upon request.

By the Numbers

  • 12+ years of food blogging experience (since 2013)
  • 1.5+ million annual visitors
  • Hundreds of tested, high-quality recipes
  • New content published weekly
  • 15K+ Instagram community
Overhead view of glazed 7up pound cake on white plate on marble surface.

Short Bio for Partnerships

LaKita Anderson is a self-taught home cook, baker, and content creator behind Simply LaKita, a food blog dedicated to modern comfort food with Southern roots. Raised in Panama City Beach, Florida, LaKita learned to cook from her mother and grandmother, turning childhood lessons into a thriving business serving over 1.2 million home cooks annually.

Since launching Simply LaKita in 2013, LaKita has built a reputation for translating traditional Southern recipes into approachable, modern dishes for today's busy home cooks. With more than 12 years of experience in recipe development and food photography, Simply LaKita has been featured in Google for Publishers, The Kitchn, Southern Cast Iron Magazine, Parade, and more.

Beyond food blogging, LaKita is a recognized advocate for small business interests in digital policy, having worked with Internet for Growth, Connected Commerce Council, and Google Small Business. She has testified before the Florida Senate Rules Committee, participated in Capitol Hill briefing panels, and met with U.S. Senators and Representatives on issues affecting small publishers. LaKita has spoken at industry conferences including IAB Annual Leadership Meeting and Tastemaker Conference, and is recognized as a trusted voice in both the food and digital publishing spaces.

Now a family-run business operated with her son Michael, Simply LaKita continues to inspire home cooks with high-quality recipes, expert-tested techniques, and stunning food photography.