Hi! I'm Jo. I’m a professionally trained cook, journalist, and photographer, but most days, I’m a busy mum of 3 navigating the 5:30 PM dinner rush. My mission at The Family Food Kitchen is simple: to help you get high-quality, dependable meals on the table without the stress.
The "Test Kitchen" Difference
Before launching this site in December 2020, I spent years working in some of the most prestigious magazine test Kitchens in America, including Bon Appétit, Good Housekeeping, and Epicurious. In professional kitchens, I learned that a great recipe isn’t just a good idea—it’s a precise science. I bring that same rigorous testing to every recipe I share here. When you cook one of my dishes, you can rest assured it has been tested to professional standards to work in your real-life kitchen.
Professional Credentials
I don't just love food! My recipes are built on a foundation of professional culinary training, editorial rigor, and fifteen years of industry experience:
- Culinary Arts Degrees: Graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City and Leiths School of Food and Wine in London.
- Journalism Background: As a former BBC News broadcast journalist, I bring a fact-checker’s eye to every recipe.
- Brand Experience: I’ve developed recipes for Williams Sonoma, Staub, and Kraft, and worked with authors like Gordon Ramsay and Molly Yeh.
- Industry Insight: My background includes PR and ethical sourcing for Tesco and Marks & Spencer, giving me a deep understanding of where our food comes from.
Why This Matters for You
As a Mum of three, I know you don't need "chef-y" complexity when you're tired. You need a win. I’ve combined 15 years of professional experience to create a library of recipes that are fail-proof, flavorful and family approved. Viral hits like my Longevity Soup, my One-Pan Creamy Spinach and Tomato Chicken and my Easy Pork Stroganoff with Egg Noodles show exactly what my site is all about.
There are loads of 30 Minute Meals, Sheet Pan Dinners, One Pot Wonders and easy but delicious Slow Cooked Meals. What you won't find is long ingredient lists and complicated steps.
I’m also passionate about making sure no one is left out at dinner time. While my recipes use standard pantry staples, you’ll find plenty of vegetarian, refined sugar-free, and gluten free options. Because I have a daughter with Celiac disease, I’ve developed tried-and-tested gluten-free swaps that actually taste great and never sacrifice flavor.
And for those times when you want to level up, I share my best insights for easy hosting—think appetizers that impress while remaining hands-off, and desserts that are high-impact but low-stress.
Let's Connect!
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Maybe We Can Work Together!
Beyond the blog, I love partnering with brands that share my passion for quality, accessible home cooking. Whether you’re looking for professional recipe development, food styling, or sponsored content, I’d love to hear from you.
You can find out more about my work as a food stylist and recipe developer at my dedicated website: