About The Author
Hi, I'm Mariska — the recipe developer, content creator, and Precision Nutrition L1 certified coach behind My Chef's Apron. This is a healthy home cooking blog focused on nourishing, whole-food recipes made with real ingredients, from quick weeknight dinners to comforting slow-weekend meals and everything in between.
My food philosophy is simple: healthy eating doesn't need rigid rules or complicated techniques. It needs real ingredients, a little intention, and recipes that actually fit your life.
I believe the most meaningful health gift you can give yourself and your family is making regularly nourishing, nutrient-dense meals at home, the kind that give you energy and make you feel genuinely good.
My Story
I grew up in Belgium in a large Italian family with Dutch roots on my mother's side—a household where cooking, gathering, and sharing meals were simply part of everyday life. I learned how to cook from my mother, an incredibly talented and resourceful home cook and chef. Many of our relatives were chefs, caterers, or restaurant owners, and everyone knew how to make a really good meal. Food wasn't just fuel; it was how we showed up for each other.
After years of working in a fast-paced corporate environment with frequent international travel, becoming a mother was the turning point that led me to slow things down and commit more deeply to nourishing myself and my family well. That shift is what became My Chef's Apron.
I now live in North Carolina, where I develop recipes that blend the rich European food culture I was raised in with what I've learned over the years and through my ongoing nutrition training about building a balanced, sustainable way of eating.
I truly believe that health begins in the kitchen. Through My Chef's Apron, I hope to inspire you to cook more intentionally, eat more seasonally, and discover that nutritious, satisfying meals made at home can be both simple and deeply enjoyable.
What You’ll Find On My Chef's Apron
On My Chef's Apron, you'll find nourishing, whole-food recipes made with real ingredients, designed to support everyday home cooking without feeling overwhelming. From quick weeknight dinners to Mediterranean-inspired meals, you'll also find plenty of gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-forward, and other dietary options to fit your needs.
Check out all my recipes in the Recipe Index.
Start Here
If you’re new to My Chef’s Apron, here are a few great places to explore first:
Easy Weeknight Dinners
Quick, satisfying meals for busy days, when you want something healthy without spending hours in the kitchen.
Browse recipesHealthy Treats & Desserts
Balanced sweets made with better-for-you ingredients so you can enjoy dessert as part of a nourishing lifestyle.
Browse recipesCooking Guides & Wellness
Practical guides, tonics, and habits to make healthy home cooking feel natural and sustainable.
Browse guidesBrowse All Recipes
Gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-forward, paleo, Mediterranean and more — all in one place.
See all recipes
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FAQs
I don’t believe in restrictive diets or one-size-fits-all approaches to eating. Our needs change based on season, lifestyle, access to food, and personal preferences. I focus on cooking with real, whole ingredients—choosing seasonal and locally grown produce whenever possible—and creating meals that support both well-being and enjoyment. My own way of eating leans plant-forward and flexible, with room for fish, meat, and comfort foods when they make sense.
Yes. You’ll find recipes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan, as well as options that are low-carb, paleo-friendly, Whole30-inspired, or Mediterranean. Most recipes include a healthy twist, but you’ll also find comforting meals and special treats for holidays, celebrations, and slower weekends.
Occasionally, yes. While My Chef’s Apron is primarily focused on nourishing recipes and healthy home cooking, I sometimes share wellness-related ideas—such as simple tonics, habits, or practices that have supported my family and me—mostly through my newsletter.
I prefer to keep this space food-first and practical, so any wellness content I share is meant to gently complement cooking and everyday life, rather than overwhelm it.
CookPal is a built-in recipe assistant designed to help you while you’re cooking — right where you need it. If you have a question about a specific recipe, you can click on CookPal to ask about substitutions, measurements, dietary adaptations, or other recipe-related details, and get an instant answer.
CookPal pulls information directly from the recipe post and comments itself first and only looks beyond that when needed—so answers stay relevant and grounded. If it’s not sure, it will tell you rather than guessing.
The best way to support My Chef’s Apron is by rating recipes, leaving comments, and sharing how you’ve adapted them. This helps others discover the recipes and gives me valuable feedback so I can continue improving the content.
Subscribing to the newsletter and sharing recipes you enjoy with friends or family is also a meaningful way to support the blog.
Beyond The Blog
- I love books, podcasts, and learning about people, food, and how we live well.
- I grow herbs and greens at home — still learning as I go. I’ve shared a few beginner-friendly experiences, like What I've learned from my first mini herb garden in zone 7b and Simple tips to easily air-dry fresh herbs at home.
- Movement is my meditation: walking, yoga, HIIT, and strength training are all regular parts of my week.
- Our dog Porthos firmly believes hugs should come before food. He's not entirely wrong.
- Alongside food blogging, I’m a business entrepreneur and founder of Whimzi AI (as featured on EatBlogTalk) with a background in law and business consulting. You can find more details about my professional experience on LinkedIn.
Work With Me
My Chef's Apron is open to brand collaborations, sponsored content, and recipe development partnerships — particularly with brands aligned with wholesome, real-food cooking and healthy living. Please reach out at mychefsapron[at]gmail.com
Join the Community
My Chef's Apron is shaped by the people who cook from it. Saving recipes, leaving ratings, and sharing how you've adapted a dish helps others discover great meals — and helps me continue improving the content. If you'd like to stay inspired, join the newsletter for seasonal recipes and thoughtful kitchen inspiration.