Julia Turshen isn’t just a cookbook author; she’s a culinary force. A New York Times bestselling writer, she educates and inspires with lectures on home cooking and food, hosts engaging culinary workshops, and pens a popular weekly newsletter. Turshen has authored five acclaimed books on cooking and food, and her impressive collaborations include working with stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Mario Batali, and Dana Cowin. In 2022, her book “Bibi’s Kitchen,” co-written with Hawa Hassan, received the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for Best International Cookbook. Read on to discover more about her fascinating life and career on newyorka.
Early Life and Education
Julia Turshen was born in New York City in 1985. She grew up in a liberal, secular Jewish family and has one brother. Her mother worked as an art director, while her father was a graphic designer.
Julia’s interest in cooking sparked during her teenage years, leading her to set up a mini-restaurant at home by age 13. She recalls that her parents weren’t particularly fond of cooking, so she learned the culinary arts from books and TV shows. Interestingly, her maternal grandparents owned a bakery in Brooklyn. Though they passed away before she was born, Julia believes their profession manifests in her as a hereditary pull toward cooking.
After high school, Turshen briefly worked at the Kneaded Bread Bakery in Port Chester, New York. She then attended Barnard College, where she majored in English.
During her college years, Julia interned at Food & Wine magazine. She also began exploring cookbook writing and producing television cooking shows. Recognizing her passion, the talented young woman decided to pursue this exciting path.
Julia Turshen’s Writing Career
Julia Turshen’s first job after college was as a writer’s assistant for an author penning a book about a food and cooking travel show set in Spain. When the original writer couldn’t finish the project, Julia took over and completed the book herself. This early experience in co-authoring manuscripts proved invaluable, as she would collaborate on many more projects throughout her career.
During this period, Turshen supported herself as a private chef. More importantly, she finally began writing her own books. Her debut cookbook, “Small Victories: Recipes, Advice + Hundreds of Ideas for Home Cooking Triumphs,” was released in 2016. The project was a resounding success, earning recognition as one of the best cookbooks of the year by The New York Times, National Public Radio, and the Boston Globe.
The very next year, Turshen’s second book, “Feed the Resistance: Recipes + Ideas for Getting Involved,” was published. She donated all proceeds from its sales to the American Civil Liberties Union. In this book, the author not only wrote about food but also about active civic engagement. The publication was honored as “Eater’s Best Cookbook of 2017,” and The Village Voice also included it in their list of top cookbooks.
Next came “Now & Again: Go-To Recipes, Inspired Menus + Endless Ideas for Reinventing Leftovers,” released in 2018. It was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award. Her fourth cookbook, “Simply Julia,” became a national bestseller and was awarded the 2022 IACP Award. Her fifth publication is titled “What’s Cooking,” and Julia Turshen shows no signs of slowing down.
More Than Just Cooking
For Julia Turshen, the art of cooking is a lifelong passion, and she’s actively involved in various culinary endeavors beyond just writing cookbooks:
- Turshen created, produces, and hosts the podcast “Keep Calm and Cook On.”
- She writes a monthly column for Food & Wine magazine called “The Interview,” and her work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, and Bon Appétit.
- Julia serves on the Advisory Board of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the Culinary Council for the organization God’s Love We Deliver.
- She founded “Equity at the Table,” an inclusive digital directory, and contributes to the Citizen Action of New York community food project.
Julia Turshen is also a sought-after speaker, frequently lecturing and presenting on culinary topics. She has been invited to speak at institutions like the University of Michigan, Dillard University in New Orleans, the Museum of Food and Drink in Brooklyn, the National Museum of American History, the Chef’s Conference in Philadelphia, and the William Vale Hotel. She often collaborates with other chefs and food authors.
In 2019, Turshen’s podcast was nominated for an award by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. The digital brand Epicurious included Turshen in its list of the 100 Greatest Home Cooks of All Time.
As for her personal life, Julia Turshen is married to Grace Bonney, the founder of the interior design blog Design*Sponge. The couple resides in the Hudson Valley and shares their home with numerous beloved pets.