Location
Orange County, CA
School
Bowdoin College, Culinary Institute of America
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Writing, Culinary Arts
- Lei began her career at notable food establishments in NY and Sun Valley, ID, and went on to head pastry kitchens in LA and Orange County.
- Lei founded Sugar Blossom Bake Shop in San Clemente, CA, and has been featured in People, Riviera, Sunset, OC Register, KTLA Morning News, and more.
- Her greatest passion is writing cookbooks. Lei's first book, Beach House Baking, was named a 'Top 10 Summer Cookbook' by USA Today. She also wrote Beach House Brunch, Beach House Dinners, Farm-To-Table Desserts, and Easy Plant-Based Cooking for Two.
Experience
Lei has been a professional chef since 2004. As a writer, she has published five cookbooks (so far) and has penned for Munchery. In addition, Lei is a food editor at Allrecipes and a freelance recipe developer. She splits her time between the east and west coasts, where she loves discovering new food establishments, strolling through markets, and supporting local businesses.
Education
Lei received an associate's degree in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and attended Bowdoin College as an undergraduate.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
We strive to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day; cooking tips, tricks, and trends; or reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
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Baking Tips
By Lei Shishak
Want to make a celebration special without breaking the bank? This cake expert has a handful of suggestions for sprucing up your go-to box mix or recipe.
By Lei Shishak
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We wanted to discover the best store-bought pound cake in the game. We explored several options to determine the top one, and found some duds along the way.
By Lei Shishak
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Baking a spice cake is no easy task, so it's no wonder boxed spice cake mixes are a thing, but are any of them good? I tested out and ranked six of them.
By Lei Shishak
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I had the chance to try out the new Fan Style California Crunchwrap from Taco Bell ahead of its release. Here's what I thought of the fan-created wrap.
By Lei Shishak
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Baking Tips
By Lei Shishak
Though it is a classic treat, meringue can taste a bit one-note sweet. That's where add-ins come in, and the trick is choosing the right ones.
By Lei Shishak
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Taco Bell's new Mountain Dew Baja Blast Pie promises the eponymous cult-favorite soda in dessert form. We got an advance tasting, and here's what we think.
By Lei Shishak
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Baking Tips
By Lei Shishak
If you’re looking for creative ways to use those tins of canned fruit, as well as a new recipe to bake something delicious, our expert has a few ideas for you.
By Lei Shishak
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The autumn wave of menu releases is here. Peet's Coffee has come out of the gate with a quality lineup of innovative beverages and food, and we tried them.
By Lei Shishak
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Cooking Tips
By Lei Shishak
Seafood boils can go wrong fast -- avoid overcooking and bland broth with the right prep and order for flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing results.
By Lei Shishak
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Cooking Tips
By Lei Shishak
With the right add-ins, you can easily transform plain pasta salad into a nourishing and satisfying main course. And the best way to do it is to add protein.
By Lei Shishak
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PopCorners' puffy and crunchy texture sets them apart from other chips. They're totally snackable, but while some flavors shine, others fall a bit flat.
By Lei Shishak
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Outshine's fruit bars are a delicious, light treat best enjoyed on a sweltering summer day. We tried its popular flavors and ranked them from worst to best.
By Lei Shishak
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Baking Tips
By Lei Shishak
Chocolate frosting's not just for chocolate cake — or yellow or marble. A professional baker shares other cake flavors that pair wonderfully with chocolate.
By Lei Shishak
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Lei Shishak of Tasting Table attempts to settle the seemingly never-ending debate over whether Popeyes or Chick-Fil-A makes the better chicken sandwich.
By Lei Shishak
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Finding out the store-bought hazelnut spread in your pantry is lackluster shouldn't be on your bingo card. Instead, get the best based on our ranking.
By Lei Shishak
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Cooking Tips
By Lei Shishak
Peanut brittle is a fickle beast. A former pastry chef shares some of the most common mistakes people can make with the candy and how to avoid making them.
By Lei Shishak
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Baking Tips
By Lei Shishak
Ready to make your homemade meringue cookies even more magnificent? Try one of these unique, expert-approved decorating tips for bakery-worthy meringues.
By Lei Shishak
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Baking Tips
By Lei Shishak
Baking your own yule log cake for the first time this holiday season? Try these baker-approved tips and tricks for a perfect yule log bake.
By Lei Shishak
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Thanksgiving
By Lei Shishak
It may be convenient, but baking with canned pumpkin has its challenges. Avoid these mistakes so your fall-inspired treats are the best they can be.
By Lei Shishak
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Baking Tips
By Lei Shishak
Chocolate truffles are a tasty and decadent treat on their own, but here are 15 fillings you have to try at least once to appreciate their deliciousness.
By Lei Shishak
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We visited Taco Bell's test kitchen and got an early taste of the chain's new Chicken Al Pastor Street Chalupa, a limited-run test item debuting October 31.
By Lei Shishak
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Taco Bell is testing out a spicy limited-time addition to its Cantina Chicken Menu, the Caliente Cantina Chicken Burrito, and we got a chance to try it.
By Lei Shishak
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Cleaning Tips
By Lei Shishak
Before you turn on your stand mixer, learn what you shouldn't do when using the appliance for your baking needs. You'll become a stand mixer pro in no time.
By Lei Shishak
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Grammy-nominated musician Omar Apollo teamed up with Taco Bell to create Disha Hot Hot Sauce packets. We got an early taste for this exclusive review.
By Lei Shishak
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Baking Tips
By Lei Shishak
From blending aromatic seasonal spices into the cake batter to whipping them into the frosting, these are the best ways to spice up your fall cake.
By Lei Shishak
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Trader Joe's popular Speculoos Cookie Butter Beer is back for the fall, but is this seasonal imperial golden ale any good? Here's what we think.
By Lei Shishak
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A refreshing range of Costco-brand Kirkland Signature nonalcoholic drinks are sold for good value, but which taste best? We tried and ranked popular options.
By Lei Shishak
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