About Julia Jolliff

Welcome to A Cedar Spoon! I’m Julia Jolliff, a recipe creator, food photographer, and culinary enthusiast with over 12 years of experience in the kitchen. Since launching A Cedar Spoon in 2012, I’ve shared more than 1,100 recipes—focusing on easy weeknight meals, Mediterranean diet recipes, and my cherished Lebanese family dishes.

My Culinary Roots

My love for cooking started early, inspired by my mom, a dietitian, and my Lebanese heritage. I grew up learning traditional recipes passed down through generations, blending time-honored techniques with modern flavors. There’s nothing I love more than bringing people together over a warm bowl of lentil soup or a big platter of hummus and pita.

Through the years I have had the opportunity to travel to the Mediterranean including Greece, Spain and Italy. I learned more about the foods from those regions which has helped me when creating the Mediterranean recipes I share.

Each recipe on A Cedar Spoon is tested and retested in my kitchen and I always take into account my readers comments and reviews to adjust recipes over time. My recipes are often enjoyed by my family and friends before I share it with you. I’ve spent years refining my cooking skills through hands-on experience, culinary classes, and partnerships with brands and farming organizations in Ohio.

Julia, author of A Cedar Spoon.

Background

Originally from Portage, Michigan, I pursued my studies in Communications and Spanish at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which led me to a career in marketing and later, grant writing. I earned my master’s degree in Public Service Management from DePaul University, honing my writing and nonprofit management skills.

While living in Chicago, I met my husband, Mike, and we built our life together. After having two sons, we relocated to Hudson, Ohio, to be closer to family. Now, as a mom of three, I understand the importance of creating meals that are both nutritious and simple to prepare—something I strive to share with my readers every day.

Culinary Partnerships and Expertise

Over the years, I’ve collaborated with brands, farming organizations and industry leaders, enhancing my culinary knowledge and sharing valuable cooking insights with my audience:

  • Smart Chicken: Developed recipes showcasing their high-quality poultry, expanding my expertise in cooking with chicken and the nutritional benefits that chicken has in our diets.
  • Sabra Hummus: I was a brand ambassador for Sabra Hummus for many years and learned even more knowledge about legumes, hummus and the Mediterranean diets benefits. I got an opportunity to tour their facility and competed in a chopped challenge to create our own hummus flavor, which I ended up winning!
  • American Dairy Association Mideast: Partnered for 11+ years, attending dairy farm visits and nutritional workshops to develop dairy-based recipes.
  • Ohio Beef Council: Worked for over a decade, visiting beef farms and attending cooking classes to explore beef’s role in a balanced diet.
  • Ohio Poultry Association: Participated in hands-on workshops and a cooking competition using eggs and turkey.
  • Ohio Pork Council: Gained firsthand experience at a pork farm, learning about pork farming and pork nutrition.
  • Heinen’s Grocery Stores: Created recipes featured in newsletters, on their website, and social media for over three years.

Educational and Professional Career

  • 2000-2004: B.S. in Communications, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • 2009-2011: M.S. in Public Service Management, DePaul University
  • 2005-2009: Marketing and Communications Industry
  • 2009-2016: Grant Writing in the Nonprofit Sector
  • 2012-Present: Founder of A Cedar Spoon, sharing easy, flavorful recipes with home cooks worldwide

Notable Brand Mentions

I am honored to be seated on many websites and brand pages. Here are a few that I have been featured in:

I’m passionate about helping families simplify meal prep while enjoying the rich flavors of Mediterranean and international cuisine. Whether you’re looking for heart-healthy meals, quick dinners, or traditional Lebanese recipes, A Cedar Spoon is your go-to source for delicious and approachable home cooking.

Thank you for being here—I can’t wait for you to explore my recipes and bring them into your own kitchen!

You can learn more about A Cedar Spoon here. If you want to work together check out my “work with me” page. If you want to see what some of my favorites are that I use in my kitchen check out my shop page.

Let’s Connect!

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, questions about recipes, or Mediterranean Diet related questions, please email me at julia@acedarspoon.com. You can also find us on Instagram, Youtube, Pinterest, and Facebook!

Julia’s Favorite Recipes

Julia’s Favorite Lebanese Recipes

Quick + Easy Recipes in Your Inbox
Don’t miss out! Subscribe and get all the new recipes first.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.