Kristy Bernardo is the creative force behind The Wicked Noodle, a beloved food blog she launched in 2009, later selling it in July 2022. Over 14 years, her site grew into a go‑to resource for home cooks.
After a three-year break from running The Wicked Noodle, Kristy has officially returned to the site she built from the ground up. Having founded the blog in 2009 and growing it into a trusted resource for home cooks, Kristy is back at the helm bringing fresh inspiration and new recipes!
A self‑taught cook, Kristy credits her mother and grandmother with her earliest culinary lessons. She refined her skills at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America's Boot Camp in Hyde Park, NY. Before committing full‑time to The Wicked Noodle, she held leadership roles in retail and hospitality - including as VP of Human Resources at Wahoo's Fish Taco - before her journey into food blogging began.
Early in her career, Kristy worked as a personal chef, preparing weekly meals for a loyal group of clients and creating custom menus for private dinner parties. As her food blog grew in popularity and success, she made the decision to step away from private cooking to focus full-time on sharing her recipes and culinary passion with a broader audience.
Accomplished Author & Teacher
Kristy is a five‑time cookbook author, with popular titles including:
- Weeknight Cooking with Your Instant Pot
- Cooking from Frozen in Your Instant Pot
- The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes
- Easy Cooking with Your Ninja Foodi
- Weeknight Keto
She's taught cooking classes for both kids and adults, led brand‑sponsored events, and has appeared on television as a regular guest sharing her recipes.
Brand Collaborator & Spokesperson
Kristy has partnered with national brands, served as a national spokesperson, and has been featured in publications such as Huffington Post, Food & Wine, and Better Homes & Gardens. Her blog content spans everything from air‑fried appetizers and smoker‑style comfort foods to hearty stews and global recipes.
Food & Travel Enthusiast
An avid explorer, Kristy travels widely, often turning her culinary discoveries into recipes. She's created travel content like Moroccan cooking guides, Memphis food itineraries, numerous recipes inspired by Hatch, NM, and hikes through Virginia's wine country.
Personal Life
Kristy resides in Northern Virginia. She enjoys spending time with friends, dining out at every opportunity, and all things fun + flavorful.
Her Mission
Kristy's goals have remained constant over the past 20 years: empower home cooks with delicious, realistic, and joy‑filled recipes.
Connect with Kristy
Follow her on social media as @thewickednoodle and explore her archive of tested recipes.
You can reach Kristy directly at kristy@thewickednoodle.com