Ashleigh Paterson isn’t trying to be the perfect mum. She’s not plating up Instagram-worthy dinners every night or pretending her five-year-old eats kale chips for breakfast. What she is doing, through her wildly relatable Instagram account @ashleigh.cooks, is showing thousands of parents that feeding a family doesn’t have to be a source of stress. From weeknight dinners to lunchbox bakes and freezer-friendly snacks, Ashleigh’s recipes focus on what families actually eat.
Her goal is simple: to create meals the whole family can share. From the earliest days of baby-led weaning to feeding toddlers, school-aged kids, and even the adults at the table, Ashleigh develops recipes that can be enjoyed together – no separate ‘kids’ meals’ required.
“I like to think of Ben’s food intake over the whole week, rather than focusing on just one day,” Ashleigh says from her Seaford home, where she lives with her fiancé Dale and their son Ben. “If he’s had some fruit or veg and a little variety across the week, that’s fine by me.”
This refreshingly honest approach has struck a chord with parents across the country, particularly those navigating the minefield of feeding picky eaters. But Ashleigh’s journey didn’t start with grand ambitions of social media influence.
“I started posting about my son’s baby-led weaning journey when I introduced him to solids,” she explains. “I was posting on my personal Instagram page for my friends and family to see. I realised that I may be bombarding them with baby content, so I started a public account.”
That account has evolved into something much bigger – a community where overwhelmed parents find practical solutions and, perhaps more importantly, reassurance that they’re not alone in the dinner-time battles.
“Life on the peninsula feels a little slower – a little more relaxed. And I think that shows up in how I cook,” she reflects. “I like using ingredients you can find at your local supermarket, and making meals that are simple, comforting, and realistic.”
For parents drowning in the evening chaos, Ashleigh offers strategies that actually work in real life. Her top tip is to embrace the platter dinner. “I’m a big advocate for platter-style meals – a little mix of whatever’s left in the fridge or pantry, pulled together into something roughly balanced with fats, protein, fibre, and carbs.” She suggests combinations like sandwich meat, avocado, fruit, and corn thins – an approach that lets parents serve ‘safe’ foods alongside new ones without the pressure of cooking a full meal.
Her second strategy involves doubling recipes when you do cook. Not meal prep exactly, because “that just isn’t realistic for a lot of families” – but making extra spag bol or butter chicken to freeze for those nights when you’re “absolutely fried after a long day.”
She also recommends finding inspiration with AI. “If you’ve got a few bits and pieces left in your fridge and pantry, type them into ChatGPT and ask for a 15-minute dinner idea. I use it when I’m time poor or feeling uninspired.”
The challenges of feeding a selective eater hit close to home for Ashleigh. “Ben was – and still can be – a picky eater, which I did find challenging and stressful. It often left me feeling like I was doing something wrong.” Her solution came from professional advice – the ‘no thank you bowl’ – which was recommended by a nutritionist. It’s a simple empty bowl placed beside Ben’s dinner where he can put foods he doesn’t want. “This means Ben is interacting with that food, even in just a small way. And sometimes, to my surprise, he will actually try something he’s never been willing to try before.”
When she’s not creating content or her own dinner prep, Ashleigh’s peninsula life revolves around family-friendly spots like Benton Rise Farm in Tuerong. “It’s halfway between our home and my mum’s place in Crib Point. I love to share a pizza with Benny and browse the locally sourced produce that is set up in an old tram! They also have goats and sheep for kids to feed, and a lovely little play area.”
For ingredients, Ashleigh loves to support local where she can. “I find that fresh, local produce lasts longer,” she says. But like many families, Ashleigh’s weekends are usually filled with kids’ sport, birthday parties, and family events. “Getting to the farmers’ market each weekend just isn’t realistic for us.
I find Henry’s Mercato in Mornington, Frankston and soon to be Karingal a great go-between. They source local produce but also have beautiful pantry items. You can pick up a bargain on special, which often inspires me to cook something new.”
What keeps Ashleigh going are the messages from her community. “When a mum messages me to say her toddler ate a vegetable for the first time, in something like a chicken and broccoli nugget, it makes it all feel worth it.”
I think if I can remind another mum they’re doing okay, or help them in some small way, that’s enough for me
After stepping back from showing her face on camera following negative comments about her appearance, Ashleigh is reclaiming her confidence. “I’d like to share a little more of myself. Not just the food, but life as it really is,” she says. “We’re all just doing our best as mums, myself included. I think if I can remind another mum they’re doing okay, or help them in some small way, that’s enough for me.”
While social media pushes perfection, Ashleigh offers a different message: pop the sometimes-beige dinner on the table without guilt, and remember that feeding a family is about connection, not perfection.
For easy family recipes, you can follow Ashleigh on Instagram where she regularly shares quick, delicious dishes, perfect for the whole family.