About Liren

I am inspired by the beauty of food,

what it represents, what it invokes,

and what we can create out of it.

Hi, I’m Liren. I’m a recipe developer, cookbook author, and podcast host based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I was born and raised in New York, and along the way, I’ve called Chicago and Los Angeles home—but the kitchen has always been where my story begins. In 2010, I created Kitchen Confidante® as a space to share the recipes that shaped my life and the stories behind them. Since then, my work has been honored by the International Association of Culinary Professionals and PBS Food, and featured by leading outlets including Bon Appétit, The Kitchn, PBS, and The Today Show.

In 2025, I graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education in Pasadena, California, completing the Plant-Based Culinary Arts and Food Operations program (now called Health-Centered Culinary Arts and Food Operations). My externship at the historic Claremont Resort and Club in Berkeley challenged me in new ways, sharpening my skills and deepening my respect for the craft of hospitality. Culinary training has made me more efficient and thoughtful in the kitchen, rewiring how I approach ingredients and recipe development.

My approach is rooted in a love of produce and a plant-forward style of cooking—celebrating fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes while still welcoming all ingredients at the table. This philosophy inspired my cookbook, Meat to the Side: A Plant-Forward Guide to Bringing Balance to Your Plate, and continues to guide the recipes I create today.

I share approachable, flavorful recipes that balance curiosity with practicality. I hope to inspire you to recreate meaningful memories, explore new cuisines, and bring more joy to your own kitchen, whether you’re pressed for time or ready to linger over a meal.

Beyond the kitchen, I find joy in the little rituals that shape my days. I start and end each day with a cup of tea, always pausing midday for a matcha. The farmer’s market is my happy place, especially in September, when figs, tomatoes, and corn are at their peak. Travel has given me some of my most vivid food memories, from my first falafel in Jerusalem to hot chocolate by the cathedral in Milan to feijoada in Rio de Janeiro. And when it’s time to raise a glass, I’ll happily reach for something bubbly or a crisp Riesling.

Thank you for being here. I hope you’ll find inspiration in these stories and recipes, and that they bring as much comfort, adventure, and connection to your table as they do to mine.

New to My Page? Start Here:

If you’re new here, welcome! Here are some easy ways to dive in: 

• Join my email list to get the latest recipes, stories, and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox
• Listen to the Kitchen Confidante® Podcast, where I share conversations that celebrate the memories, stories, and connection behind food with your favorite chefs, food artisans, farmers, cookbook authors, and more
• Follow along on Instagram @kitchconfidante for everyday cooking tips and delicious recipes
• Explore my Five Little Things series, my weekly round-up of little joys that made me smile each week
• Check out my cookbook, Meat to the Side, a plant-forward guide to bringing balance to your plate

(Looking for more? Check out my FAQ!)