About

Hi there, I’m Jessica! The chef, recipe creator, photographer, and writer behind The Forked Spoon. Here you will find delectable family-friendly recipes for the everyday cook.  I’m so happy you’re here!

I first started blogging back in 2011. A recent college graduate from the University of California Santa Cruz, I was working at Stanford University School of Medicine when my boyfriend (now husband) and I decided to pack our things into boxes, say goodbye to our jobs and backpack through Nepal and SE Asia for six months. It was throughout that journey that I fell in love with the blogging community, traveling, and cooking (plus eating) new foods and flavors.

While traveling through Asia and expanding my taste pallet, I learned some of my favorite recipes by taking classes at various cooking schools with amazing chefs along the way(my favorite was in Krabi Thailand).

Since returning from Asia, I started (and said farewell) to two separate websites – Lost & Found and Coffee & Crayons. I also lived, worked, and traveled through Europe while working as an Au Pair in Germany, had a baby, got married, learned how to use a camera, and survived a stroke.

I now spend my days in Sacramento, California developing recipes, taking photos and washing dishes; all while trying to keep up with my very active offspring as I convince my husband it’s time for our next overseas adventure.

Summed up- Mom-to-one wild and beautiful boy, I am a perpetual travel planner, dreamer, adventure seeker, all-you-can-eat buffet food lover, and (self-diagnosed) food hoarder. I enjoy running for fun, drinking coffee and wine (sometimes at the same time) and eating cookies by the dozen.

Let’s be friends!

THE FORKED SPOON RECIPE WEBSITE

I decided to say goodbye to my previous blog Coffee & Crayons for one main reason – I was a different person when I started it.  Having a stroke at 28-years old with no known cause or diagnosis changed me. I learned quickly that the future is not guaranteed, time is fleeting and family is everything. My plan to have more children became complicated, risky, and, quite frankly, less important. My outlook shifted to having fewer things but owning more experiences. My husband showed me the true value of travel way back in 2008, and now it’s our turn to show our son. Although I may not give my child a sibling because of the stroke, I will teach him to love, respect, and protect this beautiful place we call home.

And so, The Forked Spoon was born.

In many ways, the name is symbolic. However, taken literally or symbolically, it’s the perfect name for this space where I continue to share my family-friendly recipes, real-life stories (no fake stuff here) and travel adventures.

Summed up – The Forked Spoon is delicious, healthy food and travels worth taking.