Picture a New York kitchen where simple ingredients transform into stories of community and comfort—meet Julia Turshen! A bestselling cookbook author and food equity advocate, Turshen has redefined home cooking with her approachable recipes and heartfelt narratives. Named one of the 100 Greatest Home Cooks of All Time by Epicurious, she’s a culinary storyteller who brings people together through food.
Born in 1985, Turshen’s journey from a self-taught cook to a culinary icon is as inspiring as her recipes. Her cookbooks, podcast, and advocacy work make her a beloved figure for anyone who believes cooking is about connection, not perfection.
The Making of Julia Turshen
Growing up in New York, Turshen’s love for food bloomed early. At 13, she ran a mini restaurant from her family’s home, inspired by her grandparents’ Brooklyn bread bakery she never knew. Without formal culinary training, she honed her skills through cookbooks, Julia Child’s TV shows, and the Discovery Channel’s Great Chefs. After studying English at Barnard College, she interned at Food & Wine and worked with a food TV producer, sparking her career. Her big break came in Spain, writing a PBS travel show’s companion book, launching her into the world of cookbook authorship.
Julia Turshen’s Unforgettable Recipes
Turshen’s cookbooks are like a warm hug from a friend who knows your kitchen. Her debut, Small Victories (2016), celebrated approachable recipes with clever variations, earning spots on The New York Times and NPR’s best cookbook lists. Feed the Resistance (2017) blended recipes with activism, donating proceeds to the ACLU and earning Eater’s Cookbook of the Year. Now & Again (2018) reimagined leftovers, named Amazon’s Best Cookbook of 2018, while Simply Julia (2021) offered 110 healthy comfort food recipes with personal essays on body image and anxiety, resonating deeply with readers.
Her latest, What Goes with What (2024), is a game-changer, featuring 20 hand-drawn charts that demystify cooking with flexible templates for salads, stews, and more. Turshen’s style is practical yet soulful, emphasizing simplicity and inclusivity. Collaborations with Gwyneth Paltrow, Mario Batali, and Hawa Hassan (whose In Bibi’s Kitchen won a 2022 James Beard Award) showcase her versatility. Through her newsletter and virtual cooking classes, she empowers home cooks to embrace creativity without pressure.
Why Julia Turshen Matters
Turshen’s impact transcends recipes. As the founder of Equity at the Table (EATT), she champions women and non-binary individuals in the food industry, fostering inclusivity. Her podcast, Keep Calm and Cook On, nominated for an IACP Award, explores food, mental health, and social justice, amplifying diverse voices. By challenging diet culture and celebrating food as a vehicle for storytelling, Turshen inspires a generation to cook with confidence and purpose, making kitchens spaces of joy and connection.
- Born: 1985, New York
- Key Works: Small Victories, Feed the Resistance, Now & Again, Simply Julia, What Goes with What
- Awards: IACP Award for Simply Julia (2022), James Beard Award for In Bibi’s Kitchen (2022)
- Fun Fact: She lives in the Hudson Valley with her wife, Grace Bonney, and their dogs, Hope and Winky.
Ready to savor Julia Turshen’s world? Grab What Goes with What and whip up a meal that’s as heartfelt as her stories!