I work with a great guy named Trey. I first met him when he was a young (early twenties!) culinary graduate, about 10 years ago. He was in and out of my work life as a freelancer during that time, then he eventually went on to be a restaurant chef and I hardly ever saw him. I always missed him, though, as he was just one of those people who either knew exactly what to do or quickly figured it out—and he was always such a good guy to work with. Kind, fun, easy-going…and super productive!
Then, around this time four years ago, the stars aligned and he began working with me full time. What a great day that was for me. Since then, we’ve done two cookbooks, countless video projects, big commercial shoots…oh, and there was this small matter of filming my cooking show during a pandemic. Trey is old enough to be my buddy and peer, but young enough that my kids all think he’s their friend and not mine. He's a super guy with two adorable daughters, a gorgeous wife, and a solid soul.
Usually Trey resides squarely in the culinary world, but recently he jumped into the world of design! I mentioned to him that the open shelves in the Lodge were full of random bowls and stacks of plates and that I wished I had the time and decorating ability to make them look spiffy and up to date. But I have neither.
These shelves are very visible when I film my Food Network show, and I almost always feel like they should look better than they do. When my TV crew from England was here, they would help me organize and dress up the shelves here and there, but the default state is "random." (Note that I don't necessarily think they look terrible in the above photos…I just feel like since they’re on TV, they should stand up a little straighter!)
Well, long story short, Trey spent a day or two at the Lodge and worked his magic!
Here are the kitchen shelves now.
It's hard to see how gorgeous the shelves are in person now, but they just look so much more intentional, and so pretty. I love the wood bowls and boards; I think they add such a pretty, natural texture and color, and I love the little plants he chose.
I think the shelves look great, Trey! Why have you been hiding your decorating abilities from me all these years?!?
Oh, and then came the Lodge pantry. If the kitchen shelves were looking a little tired before, the pantry was actually kind of gross. It had been ignored for a couple of years, and we had the all sorts of bags, boxes, baskets, and cans that needed attention. There were half-eaten bags of Cheetos, crumbs, and a canister of pecans that looked like they were from 1972.
Here’s the pantry after Trey got a hold of it! I love all the organization!
Not only did Trey tackle the pantry from the angle of ingredient organization, he also lined up pitchers and mixers to make little rainbows of color…
AND he even hung little botanical prints on the wall. I love it so much, and now the kitchen (and pantry) are all ready for a bunch of Lodge Tours this spring and summer! Visitors often take pictures of themselves in the kitchen and pantry, so I’m grateful Trey made them into prettier picture spots.
Trey, if you leave me, I’m coming with you! 😂
Ree Drummond is the founder of The Pioneer Woman and a lover of butter, basset hounds and life on the ranch! Ree started her blog in 2006, and now millions visit ThePioneerWoman.com every month for her trusted recipes and fun family stories. Here’s what she has been up to since it all began:
New York Times Bestselling Author
Ree has written two memoirs (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and Frontier Follies) plus nine bestselling cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (2009)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier (2012)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays (2013)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (2015)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! (2017)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier (2019)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy (2021)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready! (2023)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes (2025)
Food Network Host
Since 2011, Ree has been sharing simple, family-friendly recipes—and the occasional kitchen prank!—on her award-winning show The Pioneer Woman, filmed right on Drummond Ranch. Ree is also a regular judge on Food Network competitions, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Founder, The Pioneer Woman Collection
Ree has been creating and selling kitchen and home products at Walmart since 2015 and she’s involved in designing every piece and pattern. The line now includes best-selling appliances (you have to see the floral blender!), plus hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, and more. Ree doesn’t like to play favorites but the Agatha print has a special place in her heart.
Restaurant and Hotel Owner
Together with her husband Ladd, Ree has opened several bustling businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, including The Pioneer Woman Mercantile—a bakery, restaurant, and general store that draws visitors from across the country (many come for the biscuits alone!), P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop, and The Boarding House, a charming hotel with eight different rooms decorated by Ree and Ladd.
Media Personality
Ree appears regularly on national TV shows like Today, Good Morning America and more—all while managing to keep flour off her shirt.
Wife, Mom and…Grandma!
Ree’s kids (daughters Alex and Paige and sons Bryce and Todd) are all grown up, and as of December 2024, Ree is the proud grandma of the cutest baby ever, Sofia Scott, born to Alex and her husband Mauricio. Ree still cooks for Ladd (and the kids when they’re home), and she also looks after a few mischievous ranch dogs.
