Welcome to Forkella — I’m Maria A. Moreno, and this is the kitchen where my heart truly lives.
My love for food didn’t begin in a restaurant kitchen or a culinary school. It began in a modest home filled with the scent of simmering spices, laughter, and the rhythm of chopping vegetables echoing from the kitchen. I was raised in a vibrant Latino household where every meal was a celebration — of family, of culture, and of love.
My earliest memories are not of toys or cartoons, but of helping my grandmother roll out dough for empanadas or watching my mother carefully season a pot of slow-cooked stew. Cooking, for us, wasn’t a chore — it was a ritual, a way of connecting with our roots and with each other.
But I didn’t always know I’d become a chef. For years, I explored other paths — I studied literature, worked odd jobs, and even considered becoming a teacher. Yet no matter where life took me, I always found my way back to the kitchen. It was there, in front of a cutting board or a bubbling pan, that I felt most alive.
Eventually, I followed my heart to culinary school, then spent several years traveling across Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., learning the secrets of different kitchens, techniques, and traditions. I cooked in tiny family-owned restaurants in Italy, learned spice layering in Morocco, and spent quiet mornings in Mexican markets gathering inspiration.
And then came Forkella.
Forkella is more than just a food blog — it’s a space where stories, flavors, and memories meet. I created it as a place where home cooks and food lovers from all walks of life could feel welcome. Here, you’ll find recipes that are comforting yet exciting, rooted in tradition but open to playful twists.
My cooking philosophy is simple: Food should nourish not just the body, but the soul. Whether I’m crafting a centuries-old family recipe or inventing something fresh and new, my goal is to make cooking feel joyful, approachable, and full of heart.
On Forkella, I share everything from rustic desserts and vibrant salads to quick dinners for busy nights. Each recipe is carefully tested in my home kitchen — with real ingredients, real stories, and real people in mind.
But Forkella is not just about what’s on the plate. It’s about the hands that prepared it, the culture that inspired it, and the moment it created. It’s about that first bite that takes you back to childhood, or the meal that brings everyone around the table, even for just one peaceful evening.
So, whether you’re here looking for inspiration, learning to cook for the first time, or just craving something comforting — I’m so glad you found your way here. This is our table now.
Let’s cook, share, and savor together.
With all my heart,
Maria A. Moreno
Chef & Founder of Forkella.com
