At Home with @spokaneeats
At Home with @spokaneeats
BY MORGAN MARIE
PHOTOS BY BEN MATTHEWS
Nothing brings a family together quite like the warmth of freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies, especially when they’re a 4-year-old’s favorite. So, when I had the chance to hang out in Chandler Baird’s kitchen, we naturally baked a batch of these beloved treats at Bayler’s request. Chandler’s kitchen radiated a warmth that’s both comforting and familiar — the kind of place where good stories and good food come together. As we baked, we chatted about her life and her journey with @SpokaneEats, her popular food blog that’s captured the hearts (and appetites) of nearly 50,000 followers.
But at the beginning, she never imagined her blog would reach the level of success it has.
“I really just try to use my account as if I’m talking to my best friends, sharing recommendations I genuinely believe in,” Chandler says.
Through her own exploration, she’s developed a deep appreciation for Spokane, which wasn’t originally her hometown.
Chandler’s journey with @SpokaneEats began when her husband was in medical school, and they had a limited budget. She thought it’d be amazing to score a few free meals and affordable date nights.
“That was like, my best-case scenario,” she laughs. “But now, seeing how it's grown, I feel so lucky. The best part is that I can work and do what I love, while also being at home with my kids most of the time. I’ve always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, but then I found this career that gives me so much joy and fulfillment.”
Exploring a new town isn’t new to her — her husband’s medical schooling took them to China before they settled in his hometown of north Spokane.
“When I was in China, I’d go out by myself, riding public transportation, getting off at random stops to explore, try new foods, and learn the culture,” Chandler says.
Now back on the other side of the ocean, she enjoys exploring Spokane with her kids, passing on that same adventurous spirit to them.
If you follow Chandler on social media, you’re familiar with her kids and their adorable personalities. Bayler was a natural in the kitchen and tells us she dreams of being a baker.
“I love supporting her interests,” Chandler says, reflecting on her own childhood. “I have such fond memories of baking with my mom — sitting on the counter with my siblings, licking the beaters. Those moments are priceless.”
“I firmly believe that some of the best memories in a home are made in the kitchen,” she added.
Bayler giggled as Chandler revealed the secret to her mother’s famous chocolate chip cookies while Bayler poured in the key ingredient: vanilla pudding.
“It makes the cookies incredibly moist and chewy, with a fantastic hint of vanilla,” Chandler shares. “I’m a firm believer in doubling the vanilla—it truly enhances the flavor!” Her favorite? Madagascar vanilla from Kitchen Engine, which she insists is a game-changer.
Chandler also swears by Kitchen Engine’s Dough Whisk, a tool she says blends ingredients perfectly without overworking the flour. It’s her go-to for achieving just the right texture. When you get to the recipe on the next page, you’ll see why these essentials make all the difference. Her cookies are delicious—you have to try them!
Of course, the interview would be incomplete without discussing her go-to restaurants.
Her picks? Wooden City, which she describes as “consistent with great service and a stellar menu,” and Umi, where the sushi and Kendall Yards vibe create a memorable dining experience.
“Wild Sage is amazing too, especially if you’re gluten-free,” Chandler says. “I have a few friends who are, and it’s the perfect place for us to go.”
For her kids, Frank’s Diner is a special treat.
“They love eating in the train car, and the pancakes, especially with whipped cream and sprinkles,” Chandler says. “It’s their happy place.”
While she loves exploring Spokane’s food scene, Chandler cherishes these family moments at home, too — baking cookies while dancing in the kitchen with music blaring and cookies in the oven.