About Me

Hi, I’m Coraline Bennett, but most people just call me Cora. I’m 34, a born-and-raised American with deep roots in New York City, where I still live today, sandwiched between the bustling chaos of the farmer’s markets and the comforting rhythm of my own kitchen. I’ve worn a lot of hats in my life, server, barista, food stylist’s assistant, but nothing has ever felt as right as standing barefoot at my stove, apron on, jazz humming in the background, cooking something that makes the whole apartment smell like a hug.

I didn’t go to culinary school. I was too busy learning from the loud, beautiful kitchen that was my grandmother’s domain. She was the kind of woman who could make a feast out of pantry odds and ends and taught me early that food isn’t just sustenance, it’s storytelling, generosity, sometimes even an apology. She passed away when I was in college, and I still use her cast iron skillet. I swear it holds flavors like secrets.

Most of what I know, I picked up through joyful trial and error. I’m not afraid of mistakes. I once tried to make gluten-free puff pastry using mashed bananas and almond flour, a disaster I now fondly call banana tile. But every flop is a stepping stone, and I love sharing those stumbles as much as the wins because real cooking, the kind that happens in the middle of a busy weeknight, isn’t perfect. It’s messy and loud and full of heart.

My cooking style is comfort-first, with a twist. Think creamy tomato soup with a splash of bourbon or chocolate chip cookies with sea salt and miso. I’m fascinated by flavors that surprise you, that make you pause mid-bite and go, wait, what is that. That curiosity fuels everything I do in the kitchen.

What I love most is cooking for other home cooks, people who, like me, are just trying to make something delicious between the laundry and the emails. My goal is to make recipes feel like a conversation, not a lecture. I want you to feel like I’m right there with you, cheering you on as you sear your first steak or attempt homemade gnocchi.

So welcome. My kitchen isn’t fancy, but it’s warm and open. There’s always something bubbling on the stove and plenty of stories to go with every bite. Let’s cook something good together.

Coraline Bennett