At Taste of Home, we believe home cooks are the best cooks, and our Community Cooks are simply the best of the best. The members of this vibrant community have created many of the inspired recipes at the heart of Taste of Home, treasured by cooks across the globe.
These talented home cooks are always whipping up fresh, exciting flavors, sharing their best cooking tips, and posting pictures and videos of their latest kitchen triumphs. Get to know Community Cooks from across the U.S. and Canada!
Community Cooks’ Newest Recipes
These brand-new dishes are fresh from Community Cooks’ kitchens. Which one will you try first?
Make the recipes Community Cooks are raving about right now.
Community Cook of the Month
Lynn Faria from Southington, Connecticut
Lynn Faria grew up in Brooklyn, New York and currently resides in Connecticut. Her interest in cooking stemmed from her childhood where she spent many days in the kitchen watching her mother cook. She grew up in a diverse neighborhood that provided the unique opportunity to savor the different specialty foods of her neighbors. This sparked her interest in how food is representative of cultures.
Outside of cooking, Lynn loves to garden. She’s constantly looking for new ways to incorporate vegetables and lean protein into a healthy lifestyle.
Taste of Home: How did you learn to cook?
Lynn Faria: I learned from my mother and her family on her mother’s side. They were from Pennsylvania and incorporated many Pennsylvania Dutch recipes. We’re also of Greek descent, and I love these recipes, as well. Additionally, my father’s family is Italian and that has certainly touched my style of cooking!
TOH: What types of recipes are you known for?
LF: I love to make different dinners that include vegetables and lean protein to promote health. But I also love making recipes that are of French Canadian origin—my roommate is of that descent and I’ve learned from her late mother how to make meat pies and pork meatballs.
TOH: What is your favorite recipe you ever had published on TOH?
LF:Â The pork tenderloin recipe that was published a few years ago is my favorite.
TOH: What’s the next cooking skill you want to master?
LF: Bread making. I’ve worked on this skill for many years. It is challenging. I’ve been especially interested in getting a loaf of no-knead bread that will be as soft and light as those that you knead!
TOH: What is something you no longer buy from the store or at restaurants because you know you can make it better at home?
LF: Breakfast! I always loved going out for a big breakfast. Now, I make the home fries, eggs to order, protein, toast, fruit and homemade yogurt. I know what’s in it!
Our Whole Team
Community Cooks come from neighborhoods across the U.S. and Canada. Find one in your neck of the woods.
Lisa Allen, Joppa, Alabama
Alaska
Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska
Arizona
Jessica Burke, Chandler, Arizona
Cathy Orban, Chandler, Arizona
Robert J. Johnson, Chino Valley, Arizona
Cori Cooper, Flagstaff, Arizona
Paul Williams, Fort Mohave, Arizona
Lee Mason, Gilbert, Arizona
Michille Dewalder, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Belqui Ortiz-Millili, Mesa, Arizona
Karen Keefe, Phoenix, Arizona
Arkansas
Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
California
Helen Nelander, Boulder Creek, California
Marina Castle-Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Candice Custodio, Creston, California
Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
Rosie Godycki, Los Angeles, California
Dr. Laura Wilhelm, Los Angeles, California
Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Ellen Lee Savastano, San Diego, California
Ilya Khayn, San Jose, California
Colorado
Rebecca Wilson, Longmont, Colorado
Connecticut
Anna Gass, New Canaan, Connecticut
Lynn Faria, Southington, Connecticut
Janet Turner, Southington, Connecticut
Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh, Willimantic, Connecticut
Florida
Janie Ganyard, Jacksonville, Florida
Kathleen Criddle, Lake Worth, Florida
Heather Chambers, Largo, Florida
Pam Brooks, Micco, Florida
Nancy Murphy, Mount Dora, Florida
Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida
Kailey Thompson, Palm Bay, Florida
Shawn Barto, Palmetto, Florida
Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida
Norlene Trice, Weeki Wachee, Florida
Danielle Lee, West Palm Beach, Florida
Georgia
Lynne German, Buford, Georgia
Rosey Sumrall, Kennesaw, Georgia
Hawaii
Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
Idaho
Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Cindy Worth, Lapwai, Idaho
Illinois
Ginger Butz, Bolingbrook, Illinois
April Lee Wiencek, Chicago, Illinois
Bill Roberts, Geneva, Illinois
Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Kristina Valley, Libertyville, Illinois
Deborah L. Staley, Mount Vernon, Illinois
Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
Lynn Vogeler, Port Barrington, Illinois
Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois
Michele Tungett, Rochester, Illinois
Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois
Indiana
Kizmet Byrd, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Rena McCalment, Sharpsville, Indiana
Kathy Renee, Terre Haute, Indiana
Iowa
Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa
Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa
Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Stephanie Gates, Waterloo, Iowa
Kansas
Gina Dolieslager, Conway Springs, Kansas
Allison Ochoa, Hays, Kansas
Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas
Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Kentucky
Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Louisiana
Laura Herbage, Covington, Louisiana
Amy Gattuso, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Miranda Coleman, Shreveport, Louisiana
Maine
Pamela Brooks, South Berwick, MaineMarylandJulie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Massachusetts
Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Molly Winsten, Medford, Massachusetts
Lindsey Centrella, Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Michigan
Gina Doubleday, Berkeley, Michigan
Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Kim Shupe, Lake City, Michigan
Lorraine Hickman, Lansing, Michigan
Sue Evans, Marquette, Michigan
Sue Falk, Sterling Heights, Michigan
Rebecca Jennex, Warren, Michigan
Minnesota
Pauline Custer, Duluth, Minnesota
Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota
Julie Herrera-Lemler, Rochester, Minnesota
Missouri
Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
Amber McBridge, Grain Valley, Missouri
Montana
Amanda Monroe, Manhattan, Montana
Nebraska
Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska
New Hampshire
Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire
Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
Margaret Drye, Plainfield, New Hampshire
Grace Vallo, Salem, New Hampshire
Linda Harrington, Windham, New Hampshire
New Jersey
Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Janie Zirbser, Mullica Hill, New Jersey
Kim Spaccarotella, South Plainfield, New Jersey
New York
Joey Parker, Astoria, New York
Rose Rodwell, Bergen, New York
Aleni Salcedo, East Elmhurst, New York
Luanne Asta, Hampton Bays, New York
Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York
Marisel Salazar, New York, New York
Kimberly Ludvick, Newburgh, New York
Rita Sumers, Niagara Falls, New York
Melissa Obernesser, Oriskany, New York
Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Andrea Rivera, Westbury, New York
North Carolina
Taylor Sorenson, Charlotte, North Carolina
Stacey White, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Stacy Corday, Waxhaw, North Carolina
North Dakota
Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Diane Randle, Maddock, North Dakota
Ohio
Jacqueline Anderson, Avon, Ohio
Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio
Becky Carver, Cleveland, Ohio
Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
Nicole Washington, Fairfield, Ohio
Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio
Kristyne McDougle Walter, Lorain, Ohio
Theresa Ravencraft, Marysville, Ohio
Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio
Michael Alfarag, Perrysburg, Ohio
Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Oklahoma
Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma
Shawna Welsh-Garrison, Owasso, Oklahoma
Oregon
Pam Knepper, Hillsboro, Oregon
Mary Anne Thygesen, Portland, Oregon
Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Pennsylvania
Diann Hammel, Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Teena Petrus, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Patty Crouse, Warren, Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Stephanie St. Pierre, Cumberland, Rhode Island
Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
Megan Wesley, Westerly, Rhode Island
South Dakota
Joan Antonen, Arlington, South Dakota
Karen Stucky, Freeman, South DakotaSouth Carolina
Nancy Hover, Simpsonville, South Carolina
Tennessee
Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Kim Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee
Dianna Smith, Newport, Tennessee
Makenzie Jones, Talbott, Tennessee
Texas
Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Allison Ulrich, Frisco, Texas
Munni Alexander, Houston, Texas
Rosemarie Ideler, Houston, Texas
Corinna Nguyen, Hutto, Texas
Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
Carmen Edwards, Midland, Texas
Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Denise Browning, San Antonio, Texas
Sherri Jerzyk, Somerville, Texas
Leah Hebert, Tomball, Texas
Utah
Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Gaylene Anderson, Sandy, Utah
Vermont
Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont
Hannah Lenehan-Emmons, Williston, Vermont
Virginia
Soniya Saluja, Chantilly, Virginia
Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Rebecca Yankovich, Springfield, Virginia
Kelly Shoemaker, Stafford, Virginia
Bianca Dodson, Woodbridge, Virginia
Washington
Tara Huntley, Colfax, Washington
Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
West Virginia
Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
Lorri Burns, Keyser, West Virginia
Wisconsin
Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Heather Karow, Burnett, Wisconsin
Justin Weber, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Philia Kelnhofer, West Allis, Wisconsin
Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Alberta
Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Lori Stefanishion, Drumheller, AlbertaBritish Columbia
Tyne Driemel, Keremeos, British Columbia
Ontario
Susan Kieboam, Amherstburg, Ontario
Janet Tigchelaar, Ancaster, Ontario
Wendy Masters, East Garafraxa, Ontario
Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Pat Roberts, Thornton, Ontario
