We are a small but fun blog run by close friends 🥰.
Noah Baker – Founder and Author at The Fresh Man Cook
Hey there! I’m Noah Baker, the California-born creator behind Freshman – a food blog that’s all about making delicious, approachable cooking feel like a totally achievable adventure.
Archie Johnson – Contributor
Growing up in a family of farmers in California’s Central Valley, I learned early on that the most extraordinary meals start with the freshest ingredients. My culinary journey began in my family’s vegetable fields, where I developed an intimate understanding of produce that goes far beyond typical cookbook knowledge. After graduating from culinary school, I worked in some of San Francisco’s most acclaimed farm-to-table restaurants, where my passion for transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary dishes truly took root.
My collaboration with Noah Baker on Freshman isn’t just a professional partnership – it’s a shared mission to reimagine how people think about salads. Far from bland diet food, I believe salads can be bold, creative, and deeply satisfying. Each recipe I create tells a story: of seasonal ingredients, of cultural influences, and of the joy of fresh, vibrant cooking. When I’m not developing recipes or sourcing the perfect local produce, I’m teaching community cooking classes, advocating for sustainable agriculture, or exploring farmers markets with my vintage market basket in hand.
Lily Walker: Contributor
Growing up in the sunny suburbs of San Diego, I discovered my love for cooking long before I ever thought about becoming a “chef.” My kitchen has always been my playground – a place where family recipes meet spontaneous experiments, and where every meal is an opportunity to connect and create. California’s diverse food culture shaped my cooking style: part farmer’s market inspiration, part laid-back improvisation.
My friendship with Noah Baker is built on a shared belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated. On Freshman, I’m not here to impress with professional techniques, but to share the kind of cooking that happens in real homes – messy, fun, and full of heart. My recipes are about capturing the joy of cooking, celebrating fresh ingredients, and making people feel good.
When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll find me exploring local food trucks, hosting impromptu dinner parties, or road-tripping up and down the California coast in search of the next delicious inspiration.
