Yankee Yums
Where bold flavors meet heartfelt traditions.
We’re more than just a food blog — we’re a family kitchen with stories to tell, meals to share, and laughter to spread. Meet the trio behind the recipes: a food-loving dad, his sassy kid critic, and the grandma who taught them everything.
The Team
👨🍳 Julian Rivera
The Heart of Yankee Yums
Founder · Recipe Creator · Flavor Chaser
Hi, I’m Julian — the voice behind Yankee Yums and the guy who believes that food should be bold, comforting, and joyfully easy to make. I grew up between Puerto Rican spice and Southern comfort, raised on slow-cooked meals and loud kitchen laughs.
After a few years in the corporate world as a data analyst (yep, spreadsheets were my thing), I traded the boardroom for the cutting board. Now, I create recipes inspired by my family, travels, and cravings — from cheesy street food to soulful classics with a twist.
When I’m not in the kitchen, I’m probably watching cooking shows with my son Riley or calling my grandma Maria for her secret marinara tips.
👵 Maria Esposito
The Soul of the Kitchen
Grandmother · Family Recipe Archivist · Garlic Lover
I’m Maria — proud grandmother, passionate home cook, and unofficial keeper of the family cookbook.
I grew up in Providence, Rhode Island in a tight-knit Italian-American household, where Sunday sauce was sacred and nothing went to waste. My kitchen has always been my love language. I taught Julian how to cook when he was just tall enough to reach the countertop.
Now, I share my favorite family recipes here — the kind that fill your home with the smell of garlic and your heart with nostalgia.
If it’s simple, homemade, and brings people together at the table — it’s probably from my kitchen.
👦 Riley Rivera
The Taste Tester & Kid Critic
Pancake Addict · Brutally Honest Reviewer · Chocolate Chip Sneaker
Hi, I’m Riley, I love pancakes, and I tell it like it is. I’m Julian’s son and the official Yankee Yums taste tester. If something’s too spicy, too weird, or just plain amazing… I’ll let you know. No filter. Ever.
My job is to make sure all the kid-friendly recipes pass the “Riley Test” — so if you see my stamp of approval, it means I’d eat it (even without being bribed).
I also help my dad take funny behind-the-scenes videos… and sometimes I sneak chocolate chips into the batter when he’s not looking.
Why We Do What We Do ?
At Yankee Yums, food isn’t just nourishment — it’s memory, culture, and connection. Every recipe we share is tested in our home, passed through generations, and flavored with laughter.
Pull up a chair. You’re family now.