Meet Ro: Family, Food & Finding My Way

Hi, I’m Rochelle — but most people call me Ro — and I’m really glad you’re here. 💛

If you’ve found your way to this little corner of the internet, my guess is you care about family, good food, and finding ways to make everyday life feel a bit lighter and more connected. That’s exactly what Cooking with Ro is all about.

So grab a cup of coffee (or reheat it for the third time 😉) and let me share a little about who I am and why this space exists.

A Little About Me

I was born and raised in Niagara Falls, NY, and it will always be home in my heart. I’ve been married to my husband, Rodney (or Rod, as I lovingly call him 💕), for over 35 years. We’re parents to our amazing daughter Amanda, proud in-laws to Mike, and completely smitten grandparents to our sweet grandson, Logan — who changed our world the moment he arrived. Add in our golden retriever grand-pup, Luca 🐶, and you’ll quickly see why my life feels full in the best way.

Family has always been my anchor.

Some of my favorite moments happen around the kitchen table — sharing meals, laughing, catching up, and just being together. To me, food has never been just food. It’s comfort. It’s love. It’s how I show I care.

My Full-Time Career: 32+ Years of Showing Up

For more than 32 years, I’ve worked full-time at Thermo Fisher Scientific. It’s been a steady, meaningful career that has taught me a lot about commitment, leadership, and doing things the right way.

Like many women, I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years — employee, wife, mom, leader, caregiver, and more. I’m proud of the work I’ve done, but I’ll be honest… there were seasons when I quietly wondered if there was something else for me, too. Something creative. Something joyful. Something that felt like mine.

How Pampered Chef Found Me

About five years ago, Pampered Chef entered my life during one of those seasons.

I didn’t join because I wanted to sell anything.
I joined because I loved helping people.

I loved helping busy families get dinner on the table faster. I loved showing simple tools that made everyday cooking easier. And I loved the idea of creating a little extra breathing room — financially and emotionally — without giving up my family or my full-time job.

What started as a side hustle slowly grew into something much more meaningful.

Why I Do What I Do

Pampered Chef has given me the opportunity to:
● Help busy families save time and stress in the kitchen
● Share simple, budget-friendly meals
● Build genuine, heart-centered connections
● Lead with encouragement instead of pressure
● Dream about earlier retirement and more time with the people I love

Most importantly, it’s allowed me to show up as me — learning as I go, growing through each season, and leading with love.

What You’ll Find Here

This blog is a reflection of real life. Here you’ll find:
● Easy recipes & meal-prep tips
● Honest stories (the joyful ones and the hard ones)
● Kitchen hacks that truly help
● Encouragement for anyone feeling stretched thin
● Gentle reminders that dinner doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful

My heart behind all of this is simple:
To help turn everyday chaos into connection — one meal at a time. 🍽️✨

Come Cook With Me 💛

If this story resonated with you, I’d love to stay connected.

✨ Join my VIP community for free recipes, meal-planning tips, and cozy kitchen inspiration:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/rospamperedvips

✨ Want simple dinners delivered to your inbox?
Sign up for my email list to receive easy, family-friendly recipes and encouragement straight to you. https://www.rochellebatterson.com/pampered-chef/#vip

I’m so glad you’re here — and I can’t wait to cook alongside you. 💛

With love,
Ro
Cooking with Ro