Jessica Randhawa
Chef | Food Photographer
Jessica is the chef and recipe developer behind The Forked Spoon, where she shares over 1,200 well-tested, approachable recipes for cooks of all skill levels.
Credentials and Expertise
- Over 14 years of professional experience in culinary recipe development, food photography, and food blogging (since 2011).
- Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
- Specializing in creating globally inspired recipes influenced by extensive culinary travel experiences across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America.
- Professional food photographer and recipe tester, ensuring culinary accuracy and clarity for cooks of all skill levels.
- Founder and content creator at The Forked Spoon, a trusted resource attracting millions of monthly readers.
- Jessica regularly engages in professional culinary training, international cooking classes, and workshops, continually expanding her cooking skills and knowledge.
In the Press
Jessica and The Forked Spoon have been featured in: CNET, Forbes, Women’s Health, USA Today, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Country Living, The Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, Redfin, and Better Homes and Gardens. My Buffalo Chicken Dip was featured on Fox News as a “Winning Dip” for the Super Bowl.
Starting a Recipe Website
My journey into food blogging began in 2011, shortly after I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. While pursuing research at Stanford University School of Medicine, my life took an unexpected and exciting turn when my boyfriend (now husband) and I decided to spend six months exploring Asia—an adventure that would ultimately reshape my path and ignite a lasting passion for food and travel.
That transformative experience sparked my passion for blogging, travel, and food discovery, eventually taking me to cooking classes across Asia (my favorite was in Krabi, Thailand, where I sipped Thai iced tea between bites).
Now based in El Dorado Hills, California, my days revolve around developing recipes, photographing food, and navigating the beautiful chaos of raising my energetic son, all while planning our next international adventure.
As a mom, traveler, and food enthusiast, I find joy in life’s simplest pleasures: morning runs with my dogs, the occasional horseback ride, and quiet moments with coffee, sparkling wine, or a perfectly made slice of avocado toast.
I said goodbye to my former website, Coffee & Crayons, after a personal turning point – a life-altering stroke at just 28, with no clear cause. That experience changed everything, sharpening my awareness of life’s fragility and deepening my appreciation for time, health, and family.
My priorities shifted from growing our family to treasuring meaningful experiences over material things. Fueled by my husband’s love of travel and my own passion for cooking, I now share recipes that bring the vibrant flavors of my travels around the world into your kitchen – one bite at a time.
And so, The Forked Spoon was born – a name that’s both symbolic and fitting for a space where I could share the recipes inspired by my travels and experiences around the world.
Over the years, The Forked Spoon has grown into a trusted resource for home cooks around the world, celebrating approachable, flavorful meals and the joy of discovering new cultures through food.
Getting Around
New here? Start with these helpful pages:
- Recipe Index: Browse by category or use the search to find exactly what you’re craving.
- FAQ: Answers to common questions about recipes, cooking tips, and blogging.
- Contact Page: Have a question? Drop it in the comments section of the relevant recipe so others can learn too. Reach out directly via the contact form.
Recipe Testing
Every recipe you’ll find here is rigorously tested multiple times in our test kitchens – with the help of my family and our dedicated team – to ensure consistency, accuracy, and exceptional flavor. We emphasize food safety, clear instructions, and reliable, nutritious results, making it easy for cooks of all skill levels to confidently prepare delicious meals every time.
Publishing Principles
As Jessica Randhawa, the creator of The Forked Spoon, my work is rooted in a deep commitment to sharing high-quality, informative, and engaging culinary content. From detailed recipes and cooking techniques to cultural insights and nutritional guidance, I write for a diverse audience, ranging from kitchen newcomers to seasoned home cooks, who share my passion for food and curiosity about the world’s cuisines.
Whether you’re learning to master the basics, exploring bold global flavors, or staying on top of food trends, my goal is to inspire, educate, and empower you with content that’s well-researched, thoughtfully written, and beautifully presented. I want The Forked Spoon to be more than a recipe site – it’s a trusted companion in the kitchen and a community built around a shared love of cooking.
At The Forked Spoon, we are committed to maintaining high standards in our content and community interactions. Our Ethics Policy ensures transparency, fairness, and responsible culinary practices. Our Corrections Policy emphasizes accountability by promptly addressing errors or inaccuracies. Lastly, our Actionable Feedback Policy guides how we collect, respond to, and implement your valuable insights, ensuring our community actively shapes The Forked Spoon’s content.
Ownership
The Forked Spoon is proudly owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Jessica and Aaron Randhawa, who have built the platform from the ground up without outside funding. This independence allows us to stay true to our vision – delivering authentic, high-quality recipe content directly to our readers, free from external influence.
Our hands-on ownership ensures that every recipe, article, and interaction reflects our personal commitment to the culinary world and to the vibrant community we’ve cultivated. Jessica and Aaron’s dedication fuels the continued growth of The Forked Spoon, helping it remain a genuine, trusted resource for home cooks and food lovers around the world.
Keeping in Touch
Please stay connected with The Forked Spoon to get our latest recipes. Subscribe to our daily email below for all the newest updates:
Join our vibrant community! We attract millions of monthly page views and have a strong social media presence, with over 500,000 followers on Pinterest, more than 40,000 on Instagram, over 10,000 on Facebook, and over 100,000 email subscribers. I genuinely enjoy connecting with my readers and can’t wait to hear from you!
Jessica’s Favorite Recipes
The Forked Spoon® is a registered trademark of The Forked Spoon LLC.
