About Me

Meet Sophie Parker – The Heart Behind Recipes & Cooking

About Portrait of Sophie Parker in a sunlit kitchen, wearing a denim apron and standing at a wooden countertop, with natural light streaming in.
Meet Sophie Parker, the heart behind Recipes & Cooking, where simple, delicious meals come to life.

Hello! I’m Sophie, the messy bun behind the apron at Recipes & Cooking, where simple, delicious meals are created with love, heart, and a little bit of chaos.

If you’re looking for feel-good food, made with everyday ingredients, you’ve come to the right place. Let me tell you a bit about myself.

I’m 36 years old, a busy mom of two — Emma, my creative 8-year-old, and Jack, my 5-year-old little helper (or rather, troublemaker) — and I also have a mischievous tabby named Waffles. My husband, Dan, is my kitchen cheerleader, though he didn’t always feel that confident in the kitchen. These days, he’s stepping up and trying his hand at a few dishes here and there. The man’s a slow learner, but he’s getting there!

I didn’t attend culinary school. My training came from standing on a kitchen chair next to my grandmother, learning how to “eyeball” flour and “feel” when dough was just right. That’s where the magic started for me — in a warm kitchen filled with laughter and the smell of freshly baked bread.


🍲 What Cooking Means to Me

To me, cooking is all about connection — it’s not about perfection. It’s the way my kids ask, “Is dinner ready yet?” or sneak a spoonful of whatever I’m making. It’s the plates scraped clean and the second servings no one asked permission for. It’s feeding my family, even if “family” is just me, after a long day of juggling work and life.

For me, cooking is about joy, not stress. I want you to find joy in cooking, too, especially on those days when time is tight and the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. I believe in:

  • Simple, accessible ingredients
  • Recipes that work the first time (no more failed dinners!)
  • Balanced meals that don’t feel like a chore to make or eat
  • Sweet treats because life without cookies is… just salad

Everything I share has been tested and approved by my very honest taste testers — my two kids and my husband. Trust me, they’re not shy about letting me know if something doesn’t hit the mark!


🥄 Why I Started Recipes & Cooking

After too many stress-filled evenings and too much takeout, I decided to take my kitchen back — one simple recipe at a time. I wanted meals that were easy to make, comforting, and most importantly, meals that actually got eaten by my family.

I was tired of throwing away leftovers and seeing my family’s eyes glaze over when I mentioned what was for dinner. So, I started tweaking family recipes, creating new ones, and making food that felt like home. That’s how Recipes & Cooking was born.

This space has become my happy place, and I hope it can be yours too. Whether you’re here for quick weeknight dinner ideas or cozy comfort food with a twist, I’ve got you covered.


📌 What You’ll Find Here

  • Weeknight dinner ideas you’ll actually want to make again
  • Family-friendly meals (with picky-eater fixes!)
  • Cozy comfort food made a little lighter
  • One-pan, slow cooker, and air fryer recipes that save you time
  • Seasonal baking and simple desserts that hit the sweet spot

💌 Let’s Connect

Got a question? Want to share your version of one of my recipes? Or maybe you just want to chat about cinnamon rolls vs. banana bread? I’d love to hear from you!

Feel free to reach out to me anytime at [email protected].

Thanks for stopping by my kitchen! I hope you stay a while, try something new, and always leave full.

– Sophie Parker 🍴