Local limelight with Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen

• Christensen tries to make a "soft entrance into the day" by not reading too much news, but she listens to NPR when she gets in her car.

📖 Currently reading: "Broken Horses: A Memoir," by Brandi Carlile

🚙Favorite long-weekend spot: Anywhere on the coast.

⛱Favorite beach: Wrightsville

🐶 Family pets: Pitbull lab mix named Billie, blue heeler mix named Riley. "They make life very joyous," she said.

🐺How she ended up in Raleigh: Moved here one day after her 18th birthday, with a full scholarship to N.C. State.

🎓 What she's looking forward to: Getting back into international travel.

🍳 How she unplugs: Surprise! It’s cooking, especially with in-season foods.

• "Just putting on music and cooking just to cook," Christensen said. "And then you know, happening upon combinations or recipes that end up being something that becomes sort of a staple, or become something that you look forward to making at home or in the restaurant."