About Chef Laura Bonicelli

Welcome to the Bonicelli Cooking Club! I’m Chef Laura Bonicelli, and I’m thrilled to share my love of cooking and passion for culinary exploration with you.

Over the years, I’ve written thousand of recipes, cooked for thousands of people, and trained home cooks and culinary professionals alike. Through it all, I’ve noticed something consistent: many people struggle to feel inspired in the kitchen. With so much information available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook.

That’s where the Bonicelli Cooking Club comes in. I’ve designed my courses to be inspiring, seasonal, and a consistent source of knowledge and creativity for anyone who wants to make cooking a joyful part of their life. We tackle everything from the basics to advanced techniques, explore wine, beer, cheese, and other exciting food-related topics. Have a special interest? I’m always open to incorporating members’ suggestions into the club’s offerings.

As a professional chef and avid home cook for over 15 years, I’m here to share the expertise I’ve gained and help you fall in love with the process of creating good food.

My Personal Journey: Mindful Mediterranean

In 2021, I developed the Mindful Mediterranean course, which focuses on the health benefits and mindful enjoyment of Mediterranean cuisine. My personal journey with this way of eating has drastically improved my own health, and it has solidified my mission: helping people take back their power through food. I believe that when we understand what we eat and make intentional choices, we can transform our lives—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Today, both Mindful Mediterranean and The New Basics of Cooking are stand-alone courses that run quarterly within the club. These courses offer a deep dive into culinary techniques and mindful eating habits that can change the way you approach your kitchen and your plate.

A Little History

I was born in the small town of Chisholm, northern Minnesota. My love for cooking started with my grandmother, who taught me and my sisters how to make pasta, ravioli, and gnocchi—simple, authentic food filled with tradition. My father was passionate about perfecting his recipes, and my mother’s baking, especially her pies and potica, remains some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Growing up in a town full of great cooks, I was lucky to be surrounded by inspiration from an early age.

Although my first creative outlet was music—I sang in bands starting at 14 and later studied classical music and opera—I eventually realized that creativity isn’t limited to one form. Slowly, I embraced my culinary heritage.

I wrote my first recipe, Cranberry Granola, when I was 17, and it remains a signature recipe to this day.

Discovering the Power of Food

As a young mother, I witnessed the shift in America’s food culture—more convenience food, less home cooking. TV dinners, fast food, and pre-packaged meals became the norm. This spurred me to take control of my family’s diet by cooking more at home, and I found that I absolutely loved it.

My love for food and cooking deepened after a life-changing trip to Italy. There, food wasn’t just sustenance—it was culture, history, and community. There was no supermarket culture, no need for organic labels, because Italians wouldn’t dream of putting chemicals in their food. Everything was made with care, sourced locally, and prepared thoughtfully. That philosophy profoundly shaped my own cooking style and my commitment to using the best ingredients.

My Culinary Career

In 2008, after another inspiring trip to Italy, I started my first food business focusing on fully-prepped, delivered meals. After months of testing and perfecting recipes, I launched the business and landed my first big client—Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton, whom I cooked for throughout his campaign and into his time as Governor.

Since then, my food career has continued to evolve. From catering to meal delivery, and eventually opening Bonicelli Kitchen, I’ve had the pleasure of cooking for countless clients and refining hundreds of recipes. I’ve learned so much, and now, through the Bonicelli Cooking Club, I’m excited to pass that knowledge on to you.

They say the best teachers are the ones who never stop learning, and I couldn’t agree more. There’s always something new to discover in the world of food, and I can’t wait to explore it all with you.

Let’s get cooking!

Chef Laura Bonicelli