BRANFORD, Fla. — Laura Fowler Goss has a simple goal in mind for The Filling Fork: provide local, wholesome healthy food to the town of Branford.

“It is a nice place to get nice, good, filling food,” Goss said.

The restaurant officially opened its doors Tuesday following a soft opening for friends and family.

“The food is great,” Melissa Land said during the soft opening.

Glenda Hatch said she loves how fresh the food is.

The menu features fresh, made daily items, daily specials and a chicken salad of the week.

Monday’s Loaded To Do List specials feature shaved prime rib, a sweet potato stuffed with Gayland Honey BBQ pulled pork topped with ranch sauce.

Taco Tuesday features chicken, fish and braised beef tacos.

Wednesday has been dubbed Second Helping over the Hump. It features three varieties of comforting macaroni and cheese including king crab and shrimp macaroni and cheese.

Dog Days of Summer Thursday features slaw dogs, nacho dogs and sausage dogs.

It’s Finally Friday menu features crooked oak chicken sriracha sliders, JTB bacon cheeseburger sliders and the heavenly waffles monte cristo is filled with ham, cheese and berry preserves. Every week she will have several different heat and eat meals that can be purchased.

“We have one of a kind dishes that are not too crazy but a little outside the norm and, most of all, delicious,” Goss said.

She added that she wants it to be a place people enjoy coming to and hanging out.

Goss likes that her place is small enough for her to be able to speak with the guests and check in with them.

Goss has been in the catering business since 2012.

She has also started a non-profit organization Fowler’s Fork to teach children where food comes from and how to prepare it.

She was inspired to start the organization after having her daughter.

“I wanted a home base for Fowler’s Fork,” Goss said.

The Filling Fork is also a non-profit restaurant. The proceeds from the restaurant supports Fowler’s Fork.

Goss plans on teaching a free cooking class on the second Monday of each month at 4 p.m. at The Filling Fork, which is located at 102 SW Suwannee Ave., right next door to the Branford Post Office.

“The classes will be based on what is in season locally,” Goss said.

She has partnered with Branford High School’s FFA to purchase some of the produce from its greenhouse and also to incorporate the greenhouse into her classes for Fowler’s Fork.

She also has a Cupcakes & Sprinkles cooking class for girls scheduled on June 2, 13, 20 and 27 from 3-5 p.m.

The Filling Fork will be open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Orders can be called in at 386-935-6200.

For more information on the cooking classes and Fowler’s Fork, can be found at www.thefillingfork.com and www.fowlersfork.com.