We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Forte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, where are you from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in Maryland, and I lived there until I finished my college degree. I have a background in the arts. I went to school for a BFA in Painting, and the majority of my work post-college revolved around creative roles. I spent years working in a small art gallery, as an art consultant, and as a part-time event photographer. I think the variety of jobs I had in my 20s was really beneficial in terms of taking on new challenges and experiences, but also in terms of figuring out what it is I truly enjoy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s such a special thing when two passions come together. While I spent years as a painter and photographer in fine art settings, I also had a personal longtime love of food, health, and nutrition. I was not purposefully looking to merge them, but after moving across the country to Los Angeles in 2016 and craving a way to connect with likeminded folks, it struck me that capturing my recipes and sharing my photos online was the perfect solution. Not only would it be satisfying creatively, but I knew that in time it might also open up the opportunity to collaborate with brands who share my values. I knew that I wanted my own brand to feel approachable and laid-back, in that nobody needs to be a chef to duplicate any of my recipes. While I’m passionate about health and wholesome ingredients, I also know that most of us are short on time and want both easy and delicious simultaneously. Many of the meals and snacks that I share can be thrown together in less than 5 minutes! Of course I also love a more ambitious baking or cooking project on occasion for the sake of variety, but in general I want everything I make to feel attainable to those with no experience at all in the kitchen. My goal is to inspire…Perhaps you’re not making my exact recipe, but I love the idea that people know they can reliably come to my Instagram or Blog for uncomplicated, tasty, healthy ideas!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There’s definitely no shortage of things to do if you’re visiting the LA area! Longtime favorites for food and drinks include Bacari PDR for small plates, Ortega 120 for Mexican and margaritas, Vito’s Pizza in Santa Monica, and Angel City Brewery downtown. They all have fun atmospheres! As a music lover, The Greek Theatre and The Wiltern are go-tos for concerts. For nature days, I highly recommend hiking all throughout Angeles National Forest, as well as an excursion out to Joshua Tree if you’re up for the drive!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
While I was growing up, my parents always encouraged me to take my own path. They taught me so well to follow my instincts and passions, and instilled the idea that life should be spent doing whatever it is that we love.

Website: www.bakeandbewell.com

Instagram: @bakeandbewell

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