Jessica Randhawa
Chef | Food Photographer
Jessica is the head chef, recipe creator, photographer, and writer behind The Forked Spoon. Here you will find delectable family-friendly recipes for the everyday cook.
I started food blogging in 2011 after graduating from the University of California Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Celluar, and Developmental Biology. I was employed 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 South East Asia for six months.
During this long trip, I fell in love with blogging, the blogging community, traveling, and cooking (plus eating) new foods and flavors throughout that journey.
While traveling through Asia and expanding my taste palate, I learned some of my favorite recipes by taking professional culinary classes at various cooking schools with some fantastic chefs along the way (my favorite was in Krabi, Thailand, while drinking Thai tea).
Since returning from Asia, I started (and said farewell) to two separate websites – Lost & Found on Blogger 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 to use a professional camera, and survived a stroke.
I now spend my days in El Dorado Hills, California, developing recipes and taking photos 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, I am a Mom-to-one wild and beautiful boy, a perpetual travel planner, dreamer, adventure seeker, all-you-can-eat buffet food lover, and (self-diagnosed) food hoarder. I enjoy running for fun with my rescue dog, riding my horse, drinking coffee and sparkling wine, and eating avocado toast.
The Forked Spoon Recipe Website
I decided to say goodbye to my previous website, Coffee & Crayons, because I was a different person when I started it. Having a stroke at 28 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 real 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. In this process spanning over a decade, The Forked Spoon has become a trusted resource for home cooks worldwide.
Summed up – The Forked Spoon is delicious, healthy food and adventures worth taking.
Getting Around
If you’re new to The Forked Spoon, let me take a moment to show you around:
- My Browse Recipes page allows you to sort all of my recipes by cuisine and course quickly.
- There is a Recipe Index page to look for recipes by category or search by ingredient.
- A Frequently Asked Questions page outlines many of the everyday recipes, blogging, and general questions I receive.
- If you’re curious about how I take food photos on The Forked Spoon, check out my how-to start a food blog post for tips and tricks!
The Forked Spoon + Jessica Randhawa in the Press
Here are just a few of the many articles and news outlets featuring Jessica and The Forked Spoon: Women’s Health, USA Today, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Country Living, Fox News, The Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Forbes.
Keeping in Touch
There are numerous ways to keep up with the latest post and family-friendly recipes here at The Forked Spoon:
- Subscribe via Email to The Forked Spoon to receive the newest post delivered directly to your inbox.
- Follow The Forked Spoon on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for the latest recipes and updates.
Jessica’s Favorite Recipes
These are my all-time favorite recipes, which my international culinary travels have significantly influenced. I have a weakness for every one of them!
The Forked Spoon® is a registered trademark of The Forked Spoon LLC.