Ashley Cunningham | USA | Cooking Is Love Made Visible
- EA
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
Chef | Entrepreneur - Owner | Recipe Developer | Culinary Storyteller
In the heart of Los Angeles, where food is culture and creativity flows like melted chocolate, Ashley Cunningham was born to stir things up — literally. A classically trained chef and self-taught baker, Ashley’s culinary journey started long before her peers were old enough to boil water. By the age of 16, she wasn’t just dreaming about food — she was dominating culinary competitions, earning prestigious scholarships from C-CAP and NAACP ACT-SO, and setting the foundation for what would become a wildly inspiring career. With drive in her soul and fire in her skillet, Ashley enrolled at the Art Institute of North Hollywood, where she earned her degree in the Science of Culinary Arts. Even while balancing a full course load, she dove headfirst into the high-pressure restaurant industry at just 18, gaining hands-on experience and sharpening her skills in the heat of the kitchen. But Ashley’s story doesn’t stop at savory delights. In 2018, she began experimenting with baking — and what started as a casual curiosity quickly grew into a full-blown obsession. Cakes, cookies, pastries — her sweet creations became the stuff of dessert dreams. Baking soon became her second great love, right after cooking. That passion would take her to new heights, both in and out of the kitchen. In 2021, Ashley took a bold leap of faith and launched her own business: BadAshBakes LLC. As a private and personal chef, she began curating unforgettable food experiences for an elite roster of clients, including professional NBA players — a gig that eventually landed her in a feature in The New York Times, spotlighting the unique and often behind-the-scenes lives of personal chefs.
But Ashley wasn’t just making waves with her food — she was also building a powerful online presence. With a magnetic personality, contagious energy, and jaw-dropping recipes, she quickly cultivated a massive following. Her content — a flavorful mix of daily chef life, step-by-step recipes, and decadent dessert visuals — skyrocketed her to over 539K followers across Instagram and TikTok, with viral videos and short-form content becoming her signature digital spice.
Then came the next big chapter: cookies. In November 2023, Ashley officially took her cookie business full-time — and it exploded. From rich, gooey classics to bold new flavor combinations, her cookies weren’t just treats; they were edible art, each one made with precision, passion, and personality.
Fans couldn’t get enough, and BadAshBakes evolved into more than just a business — it became a movement.
Despite her ever-growing fame, Ashley remains deeply connected to her roots. Whether she’s vlogging a family trip to Disneyland, cooking with ingredients fresh from her grandmother’s garden, or showing her followers the unfiltered, authentic side of running a food business, she continues to bring heart, humor, and honesty to everything she does.
Now at 27 years old, Ashley Cunningham is more than a chef — she’s a creator, entrepreneur, role model, and culinary storyteller. Her journey is a testament to the power of following your passion, embracing your unique flavor, and building a life where love is made visible through food.
Social Media Handles: