Hey there! I’m Harriet Young (was Harriet Toller), and food has been my passion for over a decade. Welcome to my culinary corner of the internet, where real-life cooking meets delicious simplicity.
As a busy mum, working professional, and passionate home cook, I understand the daily challenge of getting a mouth-watering meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. My blog is dedicated to those of you who want incredible flavour without the complicated fuss – because life’s too short for complicated recipes!
The Journey Begins
Cooking wasn’t always my destiny. In 2014, my life was on the cusp of significant changes. That year, I was engaged and planning my wedding, about to become a wife and start a new chapter of my life. My then-fiancée and I got married, and soon our little family grew – first with two delightful cats, and then in 2022, with the arrival of my daughter, who has since become my favorite sous chef and baking buddy.
When I started this blog, it was a survival guide for myself – a working woman desperately trying to create delicious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. What began as a personal mission has become a thriving community of home cooks who believe that great food doesn’t have to be complicated.
For ten consecutive years, I’ve been in the trenches of home cooking, testing, failing, succeeding, and most importantly, learning. Social media was evolving, food blogs were just finding their footing, and I was determined to create something genuine.
Why Trust Matters in Cooking
My background is anything but typical. I’m not a formally trained chef, but a storyteller who happens to love food. As a published author of The Hellion, I understand the power of narrative – and every recipe is a story waiting to be told. This storytelling background isn’t just a side note; it’s the secret ingredient in how I approach cooking and recipe development.
Writing a historical novel taught me precision, research, and the art of crafting something people will connect with. These same skills translate directly into my recipe development. Each recipe is meticulously tested, carefully documented, and created with the same attention to detail I’d use in crafting a compelling chapter.
The Masterchef Moment
My Masterchef audition might not have resulted in TV fame, but it was a pivotal moment in my culinary journey. Standing in that audition room, presenting dishes I’d created, I realised something profound: cooking is about confidence, creativity and passion – not just technical perfection.
Why Use My Recipes?
- 10+ Years of Continuous Learning Every year brings new techniques, ingredients, and perspectives
- Real-World Testing Recipes developed in a busy household, for busy households
- Transparent Process I share not just successes, but the occasional kitchen mishap
- Adaptable Cooking Recipes that work for different skill levels and dietary needs
My blog isn’t just about food. It’s about connection. It’s about those moments in the kitchen with my toddler, creating memories as we bake loaf cakes. It’s about understanding that cooking can be both an art and a lifeline for busy families.
My Promise to You
When you use a recipe from this blog, you’re not just following instructions. You’re joining a community that believes good food should be accessible, enjoyable and fit seamlessly into real life. My decade of experience, my background in storytelling, and my commitment to practical, delicious cooking are your guarantee.
- 10+ years of consistent food blogging
- Published author of The Hellion
- Masterchef auditionee
- Recipe developer for busy families
- Creator of multiple recipe eBooks
Let’s Cook, Learn, and Connect
Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or someone who’s just trying to get dinner on the table, you’re welcome here. My recipes are more than instructions – they’re stories, shortcuts, and little culinary adventures.
Drop me a line at harriet.young@whattohavefordinnertonight.com. I can’t wait to hear your story.
Warmly, Harriet
Brands and Collaborations
I’m always excited to work with brands that share my values of good food, authenticity, and wonderful flavour. If you think we might be a great fit, drop me an email through the contact form.
Hungry for more? Stick around, and let’s cook up something amazing together!
Dinner in 15 Minutes (or less)
16 delicious dinner recipes, all ready in less than 15 minutes! Perfect for weeknights, and clearly presented in this PDF ebook.
£2.99
Hi Harriet, I’ve nominated you for an award in my latest post. Your blog was one of the first I came across when I entered the blogging world and I have loved so many of your recipes. I wanted to thank you for sharing them with this nomination 🙂 x
I nominated you for a Liebster Award. Please take this nomination and share your wisdom with others. Keep writing, my friend. Thank you for always making me hungry! https://scrambledbrainsandcoffee.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/my-liebster-nominations/
Hi Harriet! Thank you so much for passing by 🙂
Can’t wait to cook the courgette fritters!
I hope you enjoy them!
Thankyou for following my (fairly new 😉 blog! Hit the follow butoon on yours aswell. What a fun, bright and happy space you have!
Thank’s for liking my blog post! Your site is really nice, too. Can’t wait to try your taco recipe! I love tacos.
Good morning, from California, Harriet! Thank you for following my blog. Your vegetarian recipes look very interesting. I’m definitely going to have to try the Anglesey Eggs! Wishing you a lovely day ~ Lisa
Hello Lisa! Thanks for coming over to check out my blog, and you’ll have to let me know if you enjoy the Anglesey Eggs 🙂
Just stopped by to say Hi and to thank you for following my blog.
I’m sure I will enjoy yours as well
Hi Gracie! Nice to ‘meet’ you!
Harriet, thank you for stopping by and following my blog. It is most appreciated.
Bob
Hello. I just wanted to stop by for a follow up because I saw that you followed my blog. I try to respond to every new person that visits, but sometimes I don’t get a chance to do it right away. I hope you enjoyed what you read and I will see you back.
Really enjoying your blog. Thanks for the likes on mine.
Hey, thanks for following me at Ginger and Cream, I really appreciate it. Are you from Chester? I’m from not too far from there but live in the desert now. This blog looks like there are lots of delicious recipes to be trying out soon! Best regards 🙂 PS send message by mistake! lol
http://www.gingerandcream.wordpress.com
Hello! Yes I am, where are you from? I know the area very well!
Hi Harriet, great blog. Thanks for checking out my blog and following. Can’t wait to try a few of your recipes out!
Hi Harriet,
Thanks for the follow. 🙂
I love your blog posts and photography. All the best
Thanks Jonny!
Hi Harriet,
Thanks for visiting my blog and liking it. Nice blog, Keep it up!
Hey. Harriet, thank you for following my blog, I hope you enjoyed my awful attempt at baking (if u can call it that?!). Maybe I should try and bake some of your recipes! I’ll see what I can do. Ben.
I thought they looked great 🙂 would be fab if you get the chance!
Thanks for following! You’ve got some delicious dinner ideas here — Onion Soup and Comte Croutons?! Oh my, yes!
Thanks Anni!
Thanks for the follow – and love your pork tacos, can’t wait to see more….
Thanks for the follow. I’ll be following you for some great recipes too!
Love your blog already. Thanks for the follow!
Hi Harriet! I adore your photos, they make the food look even better if possible! So I’ve nominated you for The Sisterhood of The Bloggers Award! http://basilandoil.com/2015/01/22/nominated-for-the-sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/
Thank you so much Lisa, what an honour 🙂 I will be sure to answer the questions this weekend!
My pleasure! Looking forward to reading your answers 🙂
Stopping by to say “Hello!” and to thank you for following my blog.
I think I’m going to enjoy reading yours as well. 🙂
Hello to you too! Thanks for following me, and I’m looking forward to your future posts 🙂
Hi, Harriet. It’s so nice to meet you and to find your blog. 🙂
Wow! You have so many scrumptious sounding recipes! I am really hungry after scrolling through them all! Thank you for all these lovely recipes! 🙂
Thank you 🙂