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
Laura Wilhelm from Los Angeles, California
Laura Wilhelm was born in Philadelphia and raised primarily in Silicon Valley and Southern California. Her parents, hailing from Illinois, would often take her and her brother to visit family during summers and holidays, providing opportunities to experience regional cuisines from various parts of the country that they could later replicate at home.
The extensive travels had a profound impact on Laura’s interest in both regional and international cuisines. Now residing in Los Angeles, the city serves as a melting pot, bringing the whole world to her doorstep. Similar to many Angelenos, Laura and her husband have evolved into avid food enthusiasts. They frequently explore ethnic markets and dine at diverse restaurants to broaden their culinary horizons. While she generally has a preference for Mediterranean food, she also holds a particular fondness for Asian and Mexican cuisine.
Taste of Home: How long have you been a fan of Taste of Home?
Laura Wilhelm: For more than 20 years! I like that us home cooks, who don’t have time to write a cookbook or do a YouTube channel, can get so much recognition for our beloved recipes.
TOH: When did you learn to cook?
LW: My parents both liked to cook and taught me a lot in the kitchen. My brother and I used to serve them breakfast in bed. I also watch cooking shows constantly.
TOH: Do you have a favorite recipe from Taste of Home?
LW: One of my favorite recipes is Pesto Bean Soup!
TOH: What types of recipes are you known for?
LW: Quick-fix international dishes.
TOH: Who do you love to cook for most?
LW: My husband. We are able to experiment in the kitchen since we don’t have picky kids to please.
TOH: Whatâs the next cooking skill you want to master?Â
LW: Cheesemaking! We are all cheese aficionados in my family and it would be fun to try making some.
TOH: Whatâs your favorite kitchen hack that you now live by?
LW: Break down food prep into several different steps so you don’t get too bored or stressed in the kitchen.
TOH: What is something you no longer buy from the store because you know you can make it better at home?
LW: Brownies! They can be made in so many different ways that bakeries might not think of.
See some of Laura’s best recipes!
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
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
Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California
Rosie Godycki, Los Angeles, California
Dorothy Kern, Rocklin, California
Colorado
Ann Bush, Colorado City, Colorado
Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Rebecca Wilson, Longmont, Colorado
Connecticut
Anna Gass, New Canaan, Connecticut
Lynn Faria, Southington, Connecticut
Janet Turner, Southington, Connecticut
Diane Morrisey, Trumbull, 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
Glenna Tooman, Boise, Idaho
Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Illinois
April Lee Wiencek, Chicago, Illinois
Bill Roberts, Geneva, Illinois
Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Deborah L. Staley, Mount Vernon, Illinois
Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, 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, KansasKentucky
Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Louisiana
Laura Herbage, Covington, Louisiana
Amy Gattuso, Denham Springs, Louisiana
Maryland
Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Nikki Haddad, Germantown, Maryland
Massachusetts
Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Molly Winsten, Medford, Massachusetts
Lindsey Centrella, Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Michigan
Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Teri Rasey, Cadillac, 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
Montana
Amanda Monroe, Manhattan, Montana
Nebraska
Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska
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
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
Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio
Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
Angela Robinson, Findlay, Ohio
Kristyne McDougle Walter, Lorain, Ohio
Theresa Ravencraft, Marysville, Ohio
Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio
Becky Carver, Cleveland, Ohio
Michele Salazar, Plain City, Ohio
Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Oklahoma
Nancy Johnson, Laverne, Oklahoma
Shawna Welsh-Garrison, Owasso, Oklahoma
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
Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
Stephanie St. Pierre Cumberland, Rhode Island
South Dakota
Joan Antonen, Arlington, South Dakota
Karen Stucky, Freeman, South Dakota
Tennessee
Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Kim Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee
Dianna Smith, Newport, Tennessee
Texas
Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Allison Ulrich, Frisco, 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
Courtney Rich, Highland, 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
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
Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Alberta
Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Lori Stefanishion, Drumheller, Alberta
Ontario
J. Fleming, Almonte, Ontario
Susan Kieboam, Amherstburg, Ontario
Janet Tigchelaar, Ancaster, Ontario
Wendy Masters, East Garafraxa, Ontario
Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Pat Roberts, Thornton, Ontario
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