Emily Paster is a food writer and culinary instructor specializing in globally inspired Jewish and Mediterranean cuisine. She is the author of four cookbooks, including "Instantly Mediterranean," "Epic Air Fryer," "The Joys of Jewish Preserving," and "Food Swap." Her work blends traditional Ashkenazi and Sephardic cooking with modern techniques, often reimagining classic dishes with contemporary flavors - such as olive oil ice cream for Hanukkah or lighter variations of family recipes. Paster's writing and recipes have been featured in publications like "Midwest Living", "Allrecipes" magazine, "Taste", and "The Nosher".
An Ivy League-educated lawyer turned food writer, Paster brings intellectual rigor and meticulous attention to detail to her culinary explorations. Her time living in Paris and extensive travels have deeply influenced her approach to Jewish foodways, inspiring her to develop globally inspired, from-scratch recipes. She is also the creator of "West of the Loop", a well-regarded family food blog. Based outside Chicago, Paster teaches cooking classes and shares her expertise with audiences both in person and through her published works. She lives with her husband and two teenage children.