Join Our ‘Taste of Home’ Community Cooks!
Updated: Feb. 13, 2024
Come cook with us!
Welcome to our Community Cooks program. If you’re someone who loves whipping up fresh, exciting flavors, creating knockout party menus for family and friends, sharing pictures and videos of your latest kitchen triumphs, and baking every variety of cookie under the sun, you have found your people. To join us, all you need to do is read our list of perks and responsibilities and fill out the application at the bottom of this page.
Perks for Community Cooks
As a Community Cook, your recipes, tips, photos and videos will have a higher chance of being featured across the brand, both in print and digitally. We share inspiration from our Community Cooks across our social media channels—with an audience of nearly 10 million—including promotion on channels like Instagram and TikTok.
Community Cooks also have their very own page on tasteofhome.com, where we share their latest recipes, an interview with our Cook of the Month, and a full list of members. Here’s what else our Community Cooks can look forward to:
- We’ll mail you a box of Taste of Home swag when you join the team.
- You’ll receive a free print subscription to Taste of Home magazine for as long as you’re a Community Cook.
- You’ll get an exclusive heads up before new contests launch so you can start coming up with entry ideas.
- We’ll call out your status as a Community Cook on all recipe reviews and comments.
In addition:
- You may receive Taste of Home books, kitchen products, special issues and other branded goodies to test and review. Your opinions and reviews will help inform and shape the topics we cover.
- You may have the chance to develop special recipes for Taste of Home.
- You may have the opportunity to represent Taste of Home in media appearances in your market, like April Lee Wiencek did on Chicago’s WGN News!
- Have a writing background like Community Cooks Nancy Mock and Kristina Vanni do? We may reach out to you with writing opportunities for Taste of Home.
- As an active Community Cook, you may be selected to participate in sponsored articles, videos or social promotions in conjunction with advertisers in which you’ll receive compensation for participating.
Responsibilities of Community Cooks
Here’s what we’d like you to do as a Community Cook:
- Submit a minimum of three (3) original, unique and totally delicious recipes to Taste of Home each year. Contest submissions absolutely count! (Note: Community Cooks can win contests, but being a member of our community does not guarantee preferential treatment in contests.)
- Participate actively in our community on TasteofHome.com. Rate and review a minimum of 36 recipes per year.
- Participate in at least four (4) community initiatives each year. These include photo/video contests, surveys, recipe or cooking tip requests, and more.
- Follow Taste of Home on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and/or YouTube. Engage with us by liking, commenting and/or sharing.
- Share your Taste of Home pride with friends and family on social media! You can call out your favorite recipes and articles by linking to Taste of Home, using our #TOHCommunityCooks hashtag, tagging @tasteofhome (@taste_of_home on TikTok) and so much more.
How to Apply
To get started, simply fill out our easy-peasy application. We review all applications and if you’re a fit, we’ll reach out as soon as possible.
Make Our Community Cooks' Best Recipes!
Stuffed Pepper SoupI was talking about stuffed peppers with the other cooks at the restaurant where I work. We decided to mix similar ingredients for a soup. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania
The Best Cheesy Scalloped PotatoesWhat makes this the best out of all the cheesy scalloped potatoes recipes out there? I slice them extra thin and toss them in an amazingly rich sauce. Then, to make them the best ever, I sprinkle homemade bread crumbs on top—they get nice and crispy in the oven. Make room for these at all your family get-togethers. —Aria Thornton, Taste of Home Prep Cook
Lemon Pudding DessertAfter a big meal, folks really go for this light lemon treat. The shortbread crust is the perfect base for the fluffy top layers. I've prepared this sunny dessert for church suppers for years and I always get recipe requests.
—Muriel DeWitt, Maynard, Massachusetts
Grilled Huli Huli ChickenI got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California
Best Chicken PotpieThis is the best chicken potpie recipe! Chock-full of chicken, potatoes, peas and corn, this recipe makes two golden pies, so you can serve one at supper and save the other for a busy night. —Karen Johnson, Bakersfield, California
Slow-Cooker Chicken ThighsHere’s a real sensation: Asian-style slow-cooker chicken thighs and rice. They always go over big with my family. —Gigi Miller, Stoughton, Wisconsin
Foolproof GravyMake your Thanksgiving or other special-occasion dinner easy with this can't-miss homemade gravy recipe. Use the drippings from your roasted turkey, and the gravy is done in just 20 minutes. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Feta BruschettaYou won't believe the compliments you'll receive when you greet guests with these warm appetizers. Every crispy bite offers the savory tastes of feta cheese, tomatoes, basil and garlic. They're terrific for holiday parties or most any gathering. —Stacey Rinehart, Eugene, Oregon
Outrageous Peanut Butter SauceI developed this thick and creamy sauce in an attempt to re-create a peanut butter topping we had at a restaurant. Served over any kind of ice cream, it's to die for! —Mary Long, Amherst, Virginia
Banana-Zucchini BreadMy grandmother made this zucchini banana bread for as long as I can remember, and I've been making it ever since I learned how to bake. Children love it for a snack, and it's good to serve at any meal. It's another delicious way to use zucchini, which is so abundant in late summer. —Eva Mae Hebert, Lafayette, LA
Pigeon River ChickenFor a picnic on the Pigeon River, we made chicken marinated in yogurt with a touch of cayenne. It’s delectable warm or cold. —Lib Jicha, Waynesville, North Carolina
Blueberry Streusel Coffee CakeThis blueberry coffee cake smells wonderful as it bakes and tastes even better. The moist cake filled with juicy berries and crunchy pecans is a family favorite. It never lasts long at our house. —Lori Snedden, Sherman, Texas
Baked SpaghettiEvery time that I make this cheesy baked spaghetti, I get requests for the recipe. It puts a different spin on pasta and is great for any meal. The leftovers, if there are any, also freeze well for a quick dinner later in the week. —Ruth Koberna, Brecksville, Ohio
