I’m Rita, the food-obsessed graphic designer behind the design and illustrations you’ll find here. And I’m André, the photographer responsible for all the images and something along the lines of a chief operations officer—I manage the ins and outs of this project. We create all our recipes together from a sunny little house in the south of Portugal, where we live with our son Simão, our dog Lima, and our cat Saga.

The idea for Cocoon Cooks was born in the midst of a painful life event that changed our perspective on health and lifestyle. That chapter sparked a deep curiosity about food, nutrition and the power of personal choices—big and small. We relied on books, blogs and recipe apps as we learned how to nourish our bodies with plant-based foods, and quickly found ourselves wanting to give something back. This project is our way of doing just that—sharing delicious, real-life vegan food and helping others see how vibrant and accessible this way of eating can be.

As time went on, our mission grew. What started strictly as a food blog became a platform to gently advocate for animals, the planet, and a more conscious way of living. We cook unpretentiously, in our comfy clothes on what we call “cocoon days”, and we write, photograph, and create all the content we hope will ultimately inspire real change in you—starting at your kitchen table.

Our cocoon is a place of comfort, protection and care. And it’s also a space for growth, learning and quiet transformation. With lots of snacks involved. That’s what Cocoon Cooks is all about.