Hey There, I’m Olivia Harper!
Welcome to my kitchen in the heart of Portland, Oregon, where every recipe is designed to make your life easier and your meals more delicious. If you’ve ever wished cooking could be less stressful and more enjoyable, you’re in exactly the right place.
My Cooking Journey
I’m not a classically trained chef, and honestly, that’s probably a good thing. I learned to cook the way most people do: through plenty of mistakes, burned pans, and those “what was I thinking?” moments we all have. But along the way, I discovered something important. The best recipes aren’t the most complicated ones. They’re the ones you’ll actually make on a busy Tuesday night.
My journey with food has taken me through some incredible experiences. I spent three years working in a busy Portland bistro where I learned the importance of efficiency and flavor. Later, I tested recipes for a regional cookbook that celebrated Pacific Northwest ingredients. I’ve taught cooking classes to beginners who thought they’d never master the kitchen, and I’ve catered intimate dinner parties where simple, seasonal dishes stole the show.
I started this site because I kept seeing the same thing everywhere. Recipes that required ingredients I’d never heard of, techniques that felt intimidating, and prep times that were clearly made up. I knew there had to be a better way, so I decided to create it myself.
What You’ll Find Here
This is my collection of recipes that actually work in real life. No pretense, no impossible standards, just good food that brings people together.
My Recipe Collection Includes:
- Weeknight dinners that save you from takeout temptation
- Comfort foods that taste like a warm hug
- Party appetizers that make you look like a culinary genius
- Desserts so good people will ask if you bought them
- Seasonal dishes that celebrate the best of every time of year
Why I Love What I Do
Food has this magical ability to turn an ordinary day into something special. A homemade breakfast can start your morning right. A cozy dinner can help you unwind. And a shared meal can create memories that last forever.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need fancy skills or expensive ingredients to create these moments. You just need recipes you can trust and the confidence to get started. That’s exactly what I’m here to give you.
What Makes This Different
Every recipe here gets tested in my actual kitchen, usually multiple times. If something’s finicky, I’ll warn you. If there’s an easier way to do it, I’ll share it. And if a recipe doesn’t meet my standards, it simply won’t appear on this site.
I believe in being honest about cooking times, realistic about skill levels, and straightforward with instructions. Your time is valuable, and I respect that. No fluff, no filler, just recipes that deliver on their promises.
My Cooking Philosophy
Great cooking isn’t about perfection. It’s about flavor, joy, and the people you’re sharing it with. Some of my best meals have come from improvising when I forgot an ingredient or trying something new on a whim.
I want you to feel that same freedom in your kitchen. To trust your instincts, enjoy the process, and know that even if things don’t turn out Instagram perfect, they can still be absolutely delicious.
Let’s Stay in Touch
I absolutely love hearing from readers! Whether you tried one of my recipes, have a question, or just want to chat about food, I’m all ears. This community is what makes sharing recipes so rewarding.
Get in Touch
Questions about a recipe? Want to share how dinner turned out? Just want to say hi?
Email me: [email protected]
I read every message and love connecting with fellow food lovers. Your successes make my day, and your questions help me create even better content for everyone.
Olivia Harper
Recipe Developer & Founder of The Full Recipes
Let’s make cooking together, one delicious recipe at a time!