About Julia Jolliff

Welcome to A Cedar Spoon — your go-to resource for easy Mediterranean recipes, Lebanese family dishes, and healthy weeknight dinners that bring real flavor to your table.

I’m Julia Jolliff, a recipe developer and food photographer with over 12 years of experience creating approachable, wholesome meals. Since founding A Cedar Spoon in 2012, I’ve shared more than 1,100 tested recipes rooted in Mediterranean diet principles, from quick sheet pan dinners and hearty lentil soups to traditional Lebanese dishes passed down through generations.

My Culinary Roots

My passion for cooking is personal. I grew up influenced by two powerful forces: my mom, a dietitian who taught me that food is nourishment, and my Lebanese heritage, which taught me that food is love. Those early lessons shape every recipe I create.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of traveling throughout the Mediterranean, Greece, Spain, and Italy, deepening my understanding of the ingredients, flavors, and techniques that make this cuisine so enduring and delicious. Every trip has made its way back into my kitchen and onto this blog. I learned more about the foods from those regions which has helped me when creating the Mediterranean recipes I share.

What You’ll Find Here

A Cedar Spoon is built for busy home cooks who want flavorful meals without the fuss. Here you’ll find:

Easy Mediterranean recipes — Greek, Lebanese, Spanish, and more
Healthy weeknight dinners — quick prep, real ingredients
Sheet pan meals, air fryer recipes, and slow cooker favorites
Gluten-free, low-carb, and diabetic-friendly options
High-protein breakfasts, hearty soups, and satisfying salads
Meal prep recipes designed to make your week easier

Every recipe on A Cedar Spoon is tested in my own kitchen, often enjoyed by my family and friends before it ever makes it to you.

My Background

I’m originally from Portage, Michigan, and studied Communications and Spanish at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I later earned my Master’s in Public Service Management from DePaul University while working in marketing and nonprofit grant writing in Chicago.

After marrying my husband Mike and having three sons, we relocated to Hudson, Ohio. That shift, from career professional to full-time mom, only deepened my commitment to creating meals that are both nutritious and realistic for real family life.

Culinary Partnerships & Expertise

I’ve had the honor of partnering with respected brands and agricultural organizations that have sharpened my culinary knowledge:

Sabra Hummus — Former brand ambassador; toured their facility and won a Chopped-style hummus competition
American Dairy Association Mideast — 11+ year partnership including farm visits and nutritional workshops
Ohio Beef Council — 10+ years of farm visits and cooking education
Smart Chicken — Recipe development highlighting quality poultry
Ohio Poultry Association, Ohio Pork Council, Heinen’s Grocery Stores — ongoing recipe creation and culinary collaboration

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

As Seen In

A Cedar Spoon has been featured in Parade, BuzzFeed, HuffPost, and more.

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!