Hi! I’m Chef Fran..
If you have a desire to create better balance in your life and to have a healthier lifestyle, I can help.
I have a passion for cooking. I love browsing the internet for new recipes and products. I get a kick when I discover a new cooking technique or a new way to plate a dish and find it fun to incorporate new ingredients into my repertoire. The kitchen is like a playground where I can express my creativity and create something that brings joy and smiles to those that taste the finished dish.
I also love to share my love of food and cooking with others. I have a desire to help people eat healthier and have a healthier relationship with food. I firmly believe that all food, in moderation, is good for you. All food, if cooked and seasoned correctly, can be delicious.
Would you like to join me on this food journey?
My Story
I was born and raised in the New Jersey area and was nurtured in the art of cooking from my mother who brought delicious, gourmet meals to the table night after night. Her love of cooking was passed down through her father who owned a food store in Brooklyn in the early years and then eventually became a chef at the Miami Beach hotspot Wolfie’s which featured Jewish deli-style items like their mouthwatering sour pickles and their mile-high corned beef and rye sandwich.
Food was always a topic of conversation in my house. One of the main reasons for my parents to host parties was so my mother could create an amazing spread and set a beautiful table. When we reminisce about family times together, we often bring up the Mozzerella Stuffed French Toast with Raspberry Sauce, the Sliced Tomatoes with Feta Cheese, Chives and French Vinaigrette, and the Blueberry Kuchen alongside the memories of the conversations we had or the activities that took place. Food was an integral part of my childhood.
While I often sat on the sidelines during all of this food preparation, I was absorbing it all – the smells, the techniques, the reactions of the guests.
After leaving home and setting up my own house with my husband Brad, I dove intensely into cooking (and eating!). I bought lots of cookbooks and magazines. I delighted in trying out new recipes on my family and friends to rave reviews.
And then life got incredibly busy. Our beautiful daughter was born. My commute to work was long and my job was stressful. I had no time to think about what I was going to make for dinner. I would be the last parent to pull into the daycare parking lot to pick up my child and then rush home to exhausted to cook anything. Pizza and take-out became the norm. We were spending way too much money on over-processed, heavily salted, unhealthy food and I was feeling it.
Then in August 2010, I lost my job. For a split second I was angry and confused but soon I began to think about how I could turn this into an opportunity to escape the pressures of the corporate world and bring some more creativity, fun and balance back into my life.
So in September 2010, The Flavorful Fork Personal Chef Service was born, a service to help those struggling to eat healthy meals and create memorable special events. After 20 years of being an employee and working someone else, I was a small business owner. It was liberating! And downright terrifying, if I’m being honest.
But I wouldn’t change a thing. These past 10 years have been, and continue to be, such fun.
My mission is to bring families back to their dinner tables to enjoy home-cooked meals while re-connecting with each other after a long day. After years of working in the Information Technology industry, I completely understand the need for working couples to simplify their lives and find better work-life balance. Not only do I want to create meals the whole family will love but I love sharing ways to make meal times, holiday parties, and family gatherings more fun.
I look forward to connecting with you! Thank you for stopping by!
Featured In:
South Jersey Magazine, Cooking At Home
Burlington County Times, This time, it’s personal
South Jersey Magazine, Side Dish: Getting Personal
Virtua Woman, 10 Tips for a Stress Free Thanksgiving
Virtua Woman, 10 Ways to be More Efficient in the Kitchen
Virtua Woman, 5 Easy Summer Dinners
VirtuaWoman, Family Dinners: The Strongest Predictor of Well-Adjusted Children
VirtuaWoman, Sticking with Your Resolutions
Meal Makeover Moms, A Recipe for No-Bake Peanut Butter & Dried Plum Bites
Courier Post, Tray Chic! No-cook apps to impress your guests,
Courier Post, Palate Pleasing Vegetarian Dishes
South Jersey SunNews, Food Brightens Everyone’ Day
