Hi, I’m Marinka – welcome to A Gourmet Food Blog, where I share elevated small-batch recipes for two.
I cook because I genuinely love it. Cooking isn’t a chore in my house; it’s how I relax, stay curious, and how I try to make every meal feel a little more special. My mantra is simple: those who cook happy and eat together will stay together.
I’m a firm believer that the kitchen is a place to experiment. You don’t have to be “a natural” to cook well; you just need a little curiosity and the willingness to try. As Julia Child put it:
Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!”
That’s exactly the spirit of this blog: creative, flavorful recipes that feel gourmet at home and are scaled for two.
Most recipes online are written for families or crowds, but cooking for two has its own ways. Not everything divides neatly, and portion size, pan size, and ingredient amounts really matter. That’s why this blog focuses on recipes thoughtfully scaled for two people, plus small-batch baking that fits practical pan sizes (like 6- or 8-inch round cake pans and 6×6 or 8×8 square pans). You’ll also find Kitchen Talk posts on basics, ingredients, techniques, and how-tos—to help you cook with more confidence.
My cooking philosophy
- Fresh ingredients are the foundation.
- Buy the best quality you can afford—a few good ingredients make a huge difference.
- Stay curious: I love trying flavors and ingredients I haven’t used before.
- Food isn’t just fuel; it’s an experience worth savoring.
- Cooking is caring—good food is meant to be shared.
Also: my favorite ingredient is cheese, and I lean savory every time.
My story
A little about me: I was born and raised in The Netherlands and moved to the US in 2008. I have a Bachelor’s in Nutrition & Dietetics and an MBA from the University of Maryland. Before focusing on the blog, I worked in clinical nutrition and later owned an e-commerce gourmet & specialty food business; and those years (plus a lot of travel) shaped the flavors I love today.
Somewhere along the way, I also met my husband over dinner on a trip to the Caribbean. We started talking and years later, we still are.
Today I live in Woodstock, Georgia, and I’m happily more homebody than globetrotter.
My hope is that something here inspires you to cook a little more often, try a new ingredient once in a while, and build meals that feel genuinely enjoyable—especially when you’re cooking for two.
Let’s stay in touch.
If you have any questions a recipe request, or just want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected], and you can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook (or subscribe to the newsletter for the latest recipes and seasonal favorites).
P.S. Please don’t be surprised when you stumble upon one of my Denglish sentence constructions.
I purchased Pecan oil at The Perry Fair and I would like to know if it comes in larger quantities.
Hi Lynn;
Hope you enjoy the Pecan Oil. Usually, products show the name of the manufacturer on the label and thus you have a contact to find out whether is comes in larger quantities. Good luck.
Hi.. I’m Dian Zakiah from Indonesia. As I search some Dutch recipe I found your blog. I love to read about your journey. Can’t wait to try some of your recipe. Got to follow your social media soon. Thank you
Hi, this is quite a lovely and enthousiastic website; the love for food is becoming clear.
I enjoy reading and learning.
I wish you many fine hours in your beautifull kitchen
Hi Ingrid, you as my best friend knows that I indeed love cooking in my beautiful kitchen. Hope you make some of the recipes. Sending much love your way !