Ben Porter, the Founder
Ben Porter grew up in Colby, Wisconsin, a small Midwestern town where the kitchen was the heart of his family’s life. From the moment Ben could see over the counter, he watched his mother make their weeknight dinners. Those early memories of standing on a chair to stir a pot, being trusted to taste the gravy, and hearing stories shared over simmering soups would stick with him the rest of his life.
When Ben left home for university, that feeling of comfort came with him into small dorm and apartment kitchens. While his classmates lived on takeout and instant noodles, he got hooked on cooking shows like Alton Brown’s Good Eats and America’s Test Kitchen that explained why each technique worked. He’d watch an episode between classes, then try the method that night—testing everything from perfectly boiled eggs to seared chicken and homemade sauces, taking notes just like he did for his accounting classes.
After graduating, Ben became an accountant and settled into a steady desk-bound job. Long days at the office made him appreciate cooking even more. It was his way to relax, be creative, and eat better on a budget. He started bringing leftovers to work, and coworkers began asking, “Did you make that yourself?” Soon he was inviting friends over on weekends and showing them step by step how to make simple dishes like roasted chicken, easy pastas, and one-pan meals. Ben realized he was enjoying teaching, explaining cooking in a calm, easy to understand way that helped beginners feel confident instead of overwhelmed.
As more friends asked for cooking lessons, he noticed a pattern. People wanted to cook at home but felt overwhelmed by complicated recipes, fancy equipment, and food-show perfection. He began creating simple lesson plans on how to use a knife safely, stock a pantry, and cook a few meals that could be mixed up all week. Over time, the joy he got from helping someone make their first real home-cooked meal became more rewarding than balancing another spreadsheet.
That’s when Ben decided to turn his passion into a business and CookCraft was born. He created a beginner friendly cooking program for home cooks who want to feel confident in their kitchens. He draws on the curiosity sparked by his family’s cooking, those early cooking shows, and his methodical mind for breaking things down into clear, manageable steps. Today, every class he teaches with the belief that if you follow a few simple steps, anyone can learn to cook food you’re proud to share.