About Isla
Cooktly didn’t begin in a culinary school or a commercial kitchen—it started right in my home kitchen in 2021. What began as a personal digital journal to document my favorite experiments and family recipes quickly grew into something much bigger.
I created Cooktly with one simple philosophy: cooking should never feel overwhelming. Whether you are searching for quick 30-minute weeknight dinners, looking for dietary-specific ideas (like vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free), or mastering the instant pot, my goal is to give you foolproof recipes you’ll love serving to the people who matter most..
How I Fell in Love with Cooking (And Took the Leap)
For years, my life was ruled by spreadsheets, back-to-back meetings, and the endless grind of a corporate 9-to-5. By the time I got home every evening, exhausted and drained, standing by the stove was the only place where the noise in my head finally quieted down.
Cooking started as my quiet therapy after long office hours. While everyone else ordered takeout, I found comfort in the simple rhythm of chopping vegetables, the sizzle of olive oil, and the smell of garlic hitting a hot pan. For the first time, I wasn’t doing something for a boss or a deadline—I was creating something real, nourishing, and filled with flavor.
For a while, Cooktly lived quietly in the margins of my life—a passion project I squeezed into late nights and hurried Sunday mornings.
Then one day, I stopped treating my dream like a side project.
I took a deep breath, walked away from the safety of my 9-to-5, and poured every ounce of my heart and energy into this blog. I wanted to build a dedicated space to share the healthy, vibrant, and deeply flavorful recipes that made me fall head-over-heels in love with cooking in the first place.
Today, I spend my days creating wholesome meals that feel just as good as they taste. Whether you’re here searching for a 25-minute weeknight dinner that doesn’t wreck your kitchen, or just looking for creative inspiration to use up that lonely bunch of parsley wilting in your fridge—I hope Cooktly inspires you to slow down, savor more, and fall in love with real, honest food again..
Meet My Little Family
Behind every recipe on this blog is a small, enthusiastic team at home!
My biggest supporter (and official chief taste-tester) is my wonderful husband, Julian. He is always the first to try every new creation—and the first to volunteer for clean-up duty!
Together, we are raising our bright and curious little boy, Leo—our only child and the absolute joy of our lives. Becoming a mother completely transformed how I think about food; Leo inspires me daily to craft wholesome, kid-friendly, and nutrient-dense meals that satisfy hungry toddlers and busy parents alike.
Beyond the Kitchen: Adventure, Nature & Travel
When my hands aren’t covered in flour or holding a spatula, you will almost always find me outside.
I have a deep love for nature and outdoor adventures. As a family, our favorite weekend getaway is packing up the car, heading into the mountains for a hike, camping under the stars, or wandering through bustling local farmers’ markets. Travel is my greatest inspiration—immersing myself in different cultures, tasting authentic local dishes around the world, and bringing those global flavors back into my home kitchen to share with you.
Cooking shouldn’t feel like another chore on your to-do list. My mission is to help you slow down, ditch the kitchen overwhelm, and fall in love with wholesome meals that are as easy to make as they are delicious to eat.
Olive’s Favorite Recipes
Get to Know Me
go-to coffee order
oat milk flat white
Couldn’t live without
my cast iron skillet & flaky salt
All Time Favorite meal
warm shakshuka with crusty sourdough
I’d rather be
camping in the mountains
My Favorite Memory
making wood-fired pizza in Tuscany
Take my money
farmers’ markets & ceramic shops
You can always find me
on a hiking trail with my boys
On Repeat
Leon Bridges