As to provisioning, recipes are randomly found in pieces of furniture like desks, nightstands, tables...no "good" place in particular for this. Well, you can buy them in guild stores of course.
Provisioning writs are a good way of getting additional recipes but you need to get some recipes before you can start doing writs. The starter islands normally have some of the basic recipes you'll need for writs in the containers d8rmir mentioned. They often need to be stolen.
Babeester Gor is the Axe Goddess, the Implacable Anger, the Avenging Daughter and the Earth Guardian.
Vriddi gra-Yildnarz, Dragonknight and Smith
Myrvanwe, Sorcerer and Enchanter
Tsajirra, Nightblade and Clothier
Vilvyni Indarys, Dragonknight and Woodworker
Arielle Alouette, Templar and Provisioner
Fishes in Troubled Waters, Nightblade and Alchemist
Shanika Some Long Title I'd Change If I Could, Templar and Aspirant Jeweller
Pippi Longhorn, Nightblade, Ne'er-do-well, and "Tribute" character
EU PC.
It's worth noting that you will find progressively higher level recipes as you advance through the different zones, so you can't expect to find all of the recipes in your starting zone.