Welcome to Elicit Folio! My name is Ebony and I am the voice, author, and creator of Elicit Folio. Elicit Folio is a space where I share recipes inspired by travel and my Southern roots, along with thoughtful hosting ideas.
Elicit Folio began as a small hobby in 2018, growing naturally from conversations with family and friends. When I’d share meals or travels, people would often ask how I made certain dishes, where I stayed, or which restaurants I loved most. I was also often the one hosting, welcoming friends for dinner, tailgates, or weekends together.
Wanting an easy way to share what I loved, I created one place to collect it all, a open portfolio of food, hosting, and travel that I named Elicit Folio.
What started as a creative outlet eventually became something much deeper. After long hours working in fintech, cooking became my way of stepping away from screens and reconnecting with something real. Food felt like art you could eat, and sharing it with others became one of the greatest joys of my life. In 2025, I left corporate America to grow Elicit Folio full time and pursue this passion wholeheartedly.
My Background in Food and Hosting
I grew up in Savannah, Georgia, a true cultural melting pot, and spent summers in Mississippi with my mom and grandmother. Some of my favorite memories are helping her feed the chickens, snapping black eyed peas for dinner, and watching meals slowly come together throughout the day while her favorite shows played in the background.
Food in our family was always made from scratch, and there were always people gathered around the table. My mother was also known among her friends as one of their favorite cooks and bakers, often catering for small businesses in Savannah. I grew up watching her cook, bake, and care for others through food. Whether at my grandmother’s house or my parents’ home, Sundays were filled with shared meals and familiar faces.
Those early experiences shaped how I host today. Friends gathered, food flowing, and moments that feel elevated yet easy. People often tell me they love the attention to detail I bring and how effortless it all feels. That is the feeling I hope to pass along here.
From Lived Experience to Kitchen Expertise
Every recipe on Elicit Folio is tested in my home kitchen and written with clarity, intention, and real-life cooking in mind.
Alongside home testing, I have had the opportunity to learn directly from chefs all over the world and continue to expand my skills through pastry school. Throughout my travels, I have taken cooking classes and learned techniques in places like Mexico, Morocco, Italy, Bali, and more. These experiences shape how I think about flavor, balance, and presentation.
Each recipe is developed through the lens of someone who values culture, technique, and accessibility. I focus on simple, everyday ingredients, easy-to-follow instructions, and thoughtful tips I have learned along the way so you can feel confident whether you are cooking for yourself or hosting others.
The result is food that feels elevated and still meant to be savored and shared.
Throughout my travels, I was amazed by the raw ingredients used in other cultures and their various cooking techniques. So, I decided to create a folio of these recipes and travel learnings to inspire others to step outside their comfort zones and try new things. I also enjoy hosting dinner parties and experiences to share what I’ve learned through food.
You have to taste a culture to understand it.
Deborah Carter
What You’ll Find on Elicit Folio
If you love all things food, travel, hosting, and creativity, you will feel at home here at Elicit Folio. Here you’ll find:
- Recipes inspired by Southern roots and global flavors
- Hosting ideas that feel elevated yet approachable
- Travel inspiration centered on food, culture, and hidden gems
- A calm, welcoming space designed to inspire connection in a technology-driven world
Everything lives within curated “folios,” so you can easily return to what inspires you most, whether that’s a recipe, a gathering idea, or a destination.
Set yourself apart in order to bring people together. Step outside your comfort zone into those of others.
James Dallas
Let’s Stay Connected
I love sharing this space with you and hope Elicit Folio feels like somewhere you want to return to often.
You can follow along and connect with me here:
- Instagram: @elicitfolio
- Pinterest: Elicit Folio
- TikTok: @elicitfolio
- Facebook: Elicit Folio Blog
- YouTube: @elicitfolio
Thank you for being here and for sharing in the joy of food, gathering, and discovery.
To learn more about how I maintain quality, honesty, and transparency, please read my Editorial Standards and Policies.