My Culinary Journey

My love for cooking began in my teenage years, standing alongside my mother and grandmother in the kitchen. They both believed deeply in the power of home-cooked family meals, and that foundation shaped everything I do today. What started as learning family recipes evolved into a lifelong passion that has spanned more than three decades.

Over the years, I’ve invested seriously in developing my skills through community culinary courses, food safety training, and multiple baking workshops. These programs gave me the technical knowledge and confidence to go beyond following recipes—I learned to understand the “why” behind cooking techniques, which allows me to create consistently successful dishes and help others do the same.

While I’ve never worked in a formal restaurant setting full-time, I’ve spent decades cooking for family events, community gatherings, and providing private catering for small local events here in Eugene. These experiences taught me how to cook for crowds, manage timing across multiple dishes, and most importantly, create food that people genuinely love and remember.

Before dedicating myself to food blogging, I worked for many years as an office manager and community volunteer coordinator, organizing local events and fundraisers. Those roles strengthened my organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate clearly—all qualities that translate directly into creating recipes that are thorough, well-tested, and easy to follow.

Why I Started SofiaByTheStove

I launched SofiaByTheStove.com in 2019 because I wanted to create a trusted resource for home cooks who value timeless, reliable recipes. After 30 years of cooking for my family and community, I had accumulated a wealth of tested recipes that consistently earned requests for “one more helping” and “please share that recipe.”

What truly drives me is the joy of bringing people together around the table and creating recipes that others can rely on with confidence. Living in Eugene, surrounded by incredible farmers’ markets and seasonal abundance, inspires me to cook with intention and celebrate the ingredients available to us throughout the year.

Today, SofiaByTheStove features over 420 recipes, all tested multiple times in my Eugene kitchen and designed with modern home cooks in mind.

What Makes SofiaByTheStove Different

My Specialty: I specialize in comfort food, classic American dinners, homemade soups, baking, and seasonal family meals. My recipes also include lighter, health-conscious options that don’t sacrifice the hearty, satisfying flavors we all crave. Whether it’s a slow-simmered stew on a rainy Oregon evening or a fresh summer salad from the farmers’ market, my recipes honor both tradition and season.

My Cooking Philosophy: Honest ingredients, timeless recipes, and food that feels like home. I believe cooking should be approachable and rewarding, not intimidating. My recipes focus on techniques anyone can master, clear step-by-step instructions, and reliable results you can count on every time.

Who I Cook For: I primarily cook for my husband, visiting adult children, and extended family, often preparing meals for gatherings of 6–12 people. My recipes are designed for home cooks aged 30–65+ who value reliable, comforting home meals and appreciate traditional recipes explained with modern clarity.

What You’ll Find Here

• Classic comfort food that never goes out of style
• Homemade soups perfect for cozy evenings
• Seasonal family meals celebrating local ingredients
• Reliable baking recipes for breads, desserts, and treats
• Health-conscious options that remain satisfying and flavorful
• Recipes for both small households and large gatherings
• Step-by-step clarity backed by decades of experience

Every recipe on SofiaByTheStove has been tested multiple times for consistency and ease. I approach recipe development with the same organizational mindset I brought to my years of event coordination—everything must be clear, reliable, and achievable. My 30+ years of cooking experience means I understand where home cooks struggle, and I write my recipes to address those challenges proactively.

Living in Eugene gives me access to wonderful farmers’ markets and seasonal ingredients, and my recipes reflect that connection to local, fresh food. I believe in slow, intentional food preparation—the kind of cooking that nourishes both body and soul.

Let’s Connect

I love hearing from fellow home cooks and food enthusiasts! Whether you’ve tried one of my recipes, have a question about a technique, or just want to share your own cooking stories, I’d be delighted to connect with you.

Email: [email protected]
Pinterest: pinterest.com/sofiabythestove

Follow along on Pinterest for daily recipe inspiration, seasonal cooking ideas, and time-tested techniques from my Eugene kitchen.

Thank you for being part of the SofiaByTheStove community. I’m so glad you’re here.

— Sofia Bennett
Creator & Recipe Developer
SofiaByTheStove.com
Eugene, Oregon