ABOUT FORKING FEARLESS
Let’s get one thing straight(ish): we’re not your grandma’s food blog—unless your grandma was a total badass who could whip up a mean risotto while debating whether butter is a food group (it is). Forking Fearless is here to kick fear out of the kitchen, one glorious mess at a time. We believe cooking shouldn’t feel like a test you forgot to study for. It should feel like a dance party in your sweatpants—with snacks. This is a space for home cooks who are tired of being told there’s one right way to do things. (Spoiler alert: there isn’t.) Want to make béchamel while blasting Beyoncé? Go for it. Prefer your pasta with a side of rebellion? Same. Whether you’re following a beloved family recipe or going completely rogue with what’s left in the fridge, we’re here to cheer you on with a wooden spoon in one hand and a glass of wine (or a cocktail) in the other. At Forking Fearless, we serve up traditional recipes with soul, creative spins with swagger, and just the right amount of “Oops, that was supposed to be paprika.” We’re passionate about the stories behind the food—the cultures, the places, the people. Because every dish has a memory, a mishap, or a miracle baked in. So grab a fork, dive in, and let’s cook like no one’s judging (because we aren’t—we’re too busy licking the spoon).
Meet the Forking Team
Jarrad Howard
Founder, Creative Director
Oh, hi! I didn’t see you there…because this is the internet, and I have neither the interest, time, nor technical capabilities to tap into your device’s webcam. But I’m sure you’re over there looking fiiiiiiiiiiine as hell!!!
I’m Jarrad – a dog dad, fan of the arts of all kinds, lover of the Oxford comma, a Taurus (thanks, mom and dad!), and a passionate…if not often irreverent…home cook. I can’t say that I was always the cook of the family. Sure, I helped mom and dad in the kitchen when I was younger, but it was never really “my thing” until college. You know…those years when young adults are finding themselves and experimenting with different things? Yep, that was me! But I was busy experimenting with *ACTUAL* herbs and *ACTUAL* eggplants.
Through it all, I learned that my love language is bringing people that I love together around a table, feeding their bodies and souls with something that I’ve cooked up, and hearing the stories that built those beautiful people around me. I love learning about different cultures, foods, and people – and how those three things come together to build this wonderful, chaotic, crazy, and beautiful world of ours.
I hope something here makes you laugh, think, feel hungry, or feel seen (bonus points if it’s all four). So, welcome to my kitchen – where the food and the conversation get spicy, kindness is the only requirement, and if you leave hungry, that’s a you problem. Now grab a fork, light a candle…or something stronger…, and let’s make some magic (or at least dinner).
Lauren Windham
Founder, Culinary + Editorial Director
Do you love homemade pasta? Could you faint after a bite of a fresh baguette? Do your eyes roll into the back of your head after a sip of an amazing and refreshing wine? Me too!
I’m Lauren and I’m a private chef and sommelier who is obsessed with high quality ingredients. I developed this addiction to fresh food while living abroad in France. Have you ever been to a farmer’s market in France? You’d freak out too.
So how did I become Forking Fearless in the kitchen? I learned from the best at the Culinary Institute of America, then worked under the incredible Chef Thomas Keller (yes, that Thomas Keller!). Now, I focus my time and energy on creating exceptional food and wine experiences for my clients, and bringing beauty into the world through my line of silk scarves, L. Windham Designs. I’m rocking one right here in this photo!
When I’m not cooking, I love taking Golden Hour sunset photos, snuggling with my two cats, and dreaming about my next vacation destination.
I hope Forking Fearless helps you embrace your inner chef! To try recipes you might have felt intimidated by, invest in that great salt or olive oil, and wow your family and friends with your newest dish. Let’s grab some butter and get cracking!