Welcome to Aly Recipes

Hi there! I’m Aly Wahlberg, a 40-year-old chef from the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you’re just beginning your journey in the kitchen, know that you’re in good company—because I still remember what it felt like to be unsure about chopping onions or boiling pasta. My passion for cooking didn’t blossom in a fancy restaurant but in my grandmother’s kitchen, surrounded by the comforting smell of her cinnamon rolls and the sound of her humming old tunes.

I didn’t always know I wanted to be a chef. I worked office jobs, tried retail, even dipped my toes into photography. But it wasn’t until my late twenties, after a disastrous Thanksgiving dinner where I burned the turkey and forgot the gravy, that I realized how much I loved cooking. Not just eating food, but the whole act of making it—the rhythm, the creativity, the way it brings people together.

That moment pushed me to enroll in a local culinary school. I was older than most students, and definitely not the most skilled, but I brought grit and heart to every class. I made plenty of mistakes. I once used salt instead of sugar in a custard tart—a rookie error that taught me more than a dozen successful bakes ever could. Mistakes like that became my teachers.

Now, I dedicate my time to helping beginners find their feet in the kitchen. I write easy-to-follow recipes and teach cooking classes designed for folks who might be holding a spatula for the first time. My philosophy is simple: cooking should feel like a friend, not a chore. I don’t believe in perfect dishes; I believe in joyful cooking and delicious outcomes, no matter how messy the process.

A grilled cheese sandwich, made with care and curiosity, can be just as rewarding as any gourmet meal. That’s the magic of food—it meets you where you are. Whether you’re struggling to boil water or trying your hand at your first stew, I want you to feel proud of every step.

What I love most is seeing someone light up after making something from scratch for the first time. That excitement, that spark—it’s why I do what I do. I’m here to guide you, cheer you on, and remind you that messing up is part of learning. Every burned toast, every overly salted soup is a step toward becoming a confident cook.

So if you’re nervous, that’s okay. If you’ve never picked up a whisk before, I’ve got you. Let’s take it one recipe at a time, find joy in the small wins, and most of all, have fun along the way.

Let’s get cooking!
Aly 💛