Jake Cohen

Jake Cohen is an American chef, cookbook author, and digital content creator recognized for modernizing traditional Jewish cuisine for contemporary audiences. He achieved widespread popularity on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram through engaging short-form recipe videos, intricate challah-braiding demonstrations, and approachable entertaining guides. Cohen's career encompasses professional fine-dining kitchens, digital food journalism, television appearances, and bestselling culinary publications.

Early Career and Media Roles

Raised in New York, Cohen formally trained in the culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America. Following his graduation, he gained line-cook experience working in prominent New York City restaurants, including Daniel and ABC Kitchen. He later shifted his focus toward food publishing and media management. Over the years, Cohen worked as a test-kitchen manager at Saveur magazine, served as food editor at Tasting Table, worked as a food critic for Time Out New York, and served as editorial and test kitchen director at The Feedfeed. These editorial positions refined his recipe development skills and helped launch his solo media career.

Content Creation and Books

Cohen began sharing his unique culinary creations online, blending Ashkenazi family recipes with Mizrahi influences. His debut book, Jew-ish: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch, was published in 2021 and became a New York Times bestseller. He expanded his publishing repertoire with I Could Nosh: Classic Jew-ish Recipes Revamped for Every Day in 2023 and Dinner Party Animal in 2025. On TikTok and Instagram, his short cooking videos—featuring dishes such as pumpkin spice babka, matzo ball soup, and tahdig—amassed millions of views. His influence earned him a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Food & Drink in 2022, alongside appearances on television shows such as The Drew Barrymore Show, Good Morning America, and A&E's Jake Makes It Easy.

Personal Life

Based in New York City, Cohen continues to focus his public persona on hospitality, cultural storytelling, and accessible home cooking. His work frequently highlights the role of food in bringing communities together, including hosting weekly Shabbat dinners and participating in culinary education programs. Cohen remains an influential voice in modern American food culture.