Meet Chef Sally Thompson
Your Kitchen Confidence Coach
Welcome to How to Cooking! I'm Sally Thompson, and I'm here to help you discover the joy and confidence of cooking delicious meals for your family. With over two decades of culinary experience, I've learned that great cooking isn't about fancy techniques or expensive ingredients—it's about understanding the basics and having the confidence to make them your own.My Culinary Journey
My love affair with cooking began in my grandmother's kitchen in Boston, where the smell of freshly baked bread and simmering soups filled our Sunday afternoons. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1999, I worked in several prestigious restaurants, including a three-year stint as sous chef at Le Petit Bistro in Manhattan.
But my greatest culinary challenge—and joy—came when I started my own family. Balancing professional cooking with raising three children taught me the importance of efficient, practical cooking solutions that don't sacrifice flavor or nutrition. This experience became the foundation of howto.cooking.
Why How to Cooking?
I founded howto.cooking in 2015 with a simple mission: to help busy families create memorable meals together. Through this platform, I share professional techniques simplified for home cooks, time-saving tips that actually work, and recipes that have been tested and approved by both culinary professionals and picky eaters (my kids!).
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe that anyone can cook delicious meals with the right guidance. My approach combines professional expertise with practical reality. You won't find complicated techniques or impossible-to-find ingredients here. Instead, you'll discover:
- Step-by-step guides that break down complex recipes into manageable parts
- Time-saving shortcuts that don't compromise quality
- Ingredient substitutions for common dietary restrictions
- Menu planning tips for busy weeknights
- Kitchen organization and efficiency tricks
Beyond the Website
When I'm not creating content for howto.cooking, you can find me teaching cooking classes in the Boston area, developing recipes for national food magazines, or experimenting with new dishes in my home kitchen. I also regularly contribute to cooking workshops and food festivals across New England.
Most importantly, I'm a mom who understands the daily challenge of putting wholesome, delicious meals on the table while juggling work, activities, and family life. Every recipe, tip, and technique I share comes from this perspective of real-life cooking.
"Good food brings families together, and anyone can cook with the right guidance. Let's make something delicious together!"
- Chef Sally
Our team:
Sally Thompson
Culinary Specialty:
Family-friendly meals, cooking educationPersonal Quote:
"Empowering home cooks to create delicious, nutritious family meals with confidence."Experience & Training:
Sally Thompson is a seasoned chef and culinary educator dedicated to helping families discover the joy of home cooking. Her culinary journey began in her grandmother's Boston kitchen, where she developed a passion for wholesome, flavorful meals. After earning her degree from the Culinary Institute of America in 1999, Sally honed her skills in esteemed restaurants, including a three-year tenure as sous chef at Le Petit Bistro in Manhattan.
Balancing a professional culinary career with raising three children, Sally recognized the need for practical, efficient cooking solutions that don't compromise on taste or nutrition. This insight led her to establish How to Cooking in 2015, a platform offering step-by-step guides, time-saving tips, and family-approved recipes. Through her approachable teaching style, Sally empowers home cooks to create memorable meals, fostering confidence and a love for cooking in kitchens nationwide.
Discover my recipes:
Taylor Kim
Culinary Specialty:
Weeknight Asian meals, quick family recipesPersonal Quote:
"Making quick, flavorful Asian-inspired meals for busy families."Experience & Training:
Taylor Kim, at age 28, believes everyone can make fresh, delicious meals at home—even on the busiest nights. Born and raised in Seattle with roots in Korea, Taylor grew up helping their mom prepare simple, hearty dishes after school. Inspired by that experience, Taylor developed a passion for home cooking, experimenting with fast, one-pan meals combining Asian flavors and family favorites.
Taylor graduated with a degree in Food Science and spent several years as a meal-planning coach. Now, Taylor is dedicated to breaking down recipes for beginners and showing families how to enjoy good food together every day. On How to Cooking, Taylor shares approachable methods, essential pantry staples, and time-saving kitchen tips, helping home cooks everywhere feel confident creating meals they love.
Discover my recipes:
Maya Patel
Culinary Specialty:
Vegetarian Indian recipes, food photographyPersonal Quote:
"Bringing vibrant vegetarian Indian cuisine to your table through recipes and beautiful photos."Experience & Training:
Maya Patel, 30, grew up in a bustling London household, surrounded by the fragrant spices of her parents’ Gujarati kitchen. Her love for food blossomed during university, where she began documenting her mother’s recipes and photographing her culinary creations for a student blog. As a self-taught cook and budding food photographer, Maya specializes in vegetarian Indian dishes that are simple enough for beginners, yet full of authentic flavor.
Her work blends tradition with creativity, inspiring home cooks to try new ingredients and techniques. Through How to Cooking, Maya shares step-by-step vegetarian recipes—always paired with her vivid, approachable photos. She aims to demystify Indian cuisine, proving it’s possible to create delicious, beautiful meals at home, whether you have an hour or just twenty minutes to spare.
Discover my recipes:
Alex Bradley
Culinary Specialty:
Budget-friendly meals, meal preppingPersonal Quote:
"Helping families eat well on a budget with smart meal prep strategies."Experience & Training:
Alex Bradley, 25, knows firsthand the challenges of cooking on a budget. Growing up in Houston with four siblings taught Alex the importance of creativity and planning in the kitchen. A self-taught cook with a knack for thrift, Alex began sharing affordable, satisfying recipes online during college, quickly growing a loyal audience.
Alex specializes in budget-friendly meal prepping, providing practical advice for stretching ingredients and minimizing food waste. Each recipe comes with storage tips and shopping hacks, making it easy for even the busiest families to cook at home without breaking the bank. Alex’s practical, friendly approach shows that great food doesn’t require fancy skills or expensive ingredients—just a bit of know-how and a little planning.
Discover my recipes: