Food—a language spoken by all

Hi! I’m Zack—a full-time law student, recipe developer, home cook, and Minnesota-registered cottage baker based in Minneapolis.

I created Cooking Convos to serve as a cozy, welcoming space to share elevated recipes, hosting ideas, and community events—all inspired by seasonal flavors and my Scandinavian roots. I believe food is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with ourselves and others. Whether we’re baking something nostalgic, gathering around a table, or sharing stories over coffee—food speaks a universal language.

My background is rooted in food storytelling. I graduated from Iowa State University with degrees in journalism and culinary science. During undergrad, I served as editor-in-chief of a student-run food publication and as a food copy editor for Better Homes and Gardens and Magnolia Journal.

The idea for Cooking Convos started during the pandemic, when I began teaching myself how to cook. I decided to document the process on Instagram, where I gained over 1,000 followers in less than a year. While I later scaled back to focus on school and food-related work, the creative spark never left—this blog was the natural next step in my food journey.

So, what does “Cooking Convos” mean?

It’s a space to celebrate all the ways food starts conversation—whether through a cozy recipe, an in-person Swedish fika experience, effortless hosting ideas, or a thoughtful written piece.

Food brings us together. It nourishes us, sparks joy, and keeps us grounded. And when there’s nothing else to talk about, you can always talk about food.

So, welcome to Cooking Convos. I’m so happy to have you a part of the conversation.