Jenn Segal stands out with her elegant yet approachable style, making her recipes feel both comforting and inspiring. I always look forward to her weekly emails, which never fail to include something new for me to try. Her recipes often encourage me to step outside my comfort zone and explore ingredients or techniques I might not have considered before.
Jenn Segal, the culinary mastermind behind “Once Upon a Chef,” is a professionally-trained chef who spent years honing her skills in the restaurant industry. She eventually transitioned out of that career to focus on her family, where she discovered her passion for creating accessible, everyday recipes.
Jenn’s recipes are a delightful mix of simplicity and sophistication, catering to both busy weeknights and special occasions. Her repertoire includes quick and easy dishes like Smash Burgers or Hoisin Beef Bowls, as well as gourmet fare such as Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Sauce and Cioppino.
While her collection is vast, her burger recipes are standout favorites. Take her Steakhouse Burgers, for example. The inclusion of bread and milk in the recipe might seem unconventional, but trust Jenn—the result is nothing short of extraordinary. The burgers are bursting with flavor and are incredibly juicy. After that success, I couldn’t resist trying her Beef Bulgogi Burgers, and they were equally impressive. Jenn’s recipes have a way of elevating even the most familiar dishes to something truly memorable.
Two other recipes I’d never have thought to try but am so glad I did are her Pimento Cheese Spread and her Cheese Ball Recipe. While I’m not Southern, I fell in love with pimento cheese after having it at a party, and Jenn’s version did not disappoint. The Cheese Ball, which I prepared as a Thanksgiving appetizer, was an instant hit—perfectly creamy and flavorful.
Whenever I’m in need of a recipe, Jenn’s website is one of my first stops. Her cooking has a certain elegance that inspires confidence in the kitchen. Even recipes that might initially seem intimidating become approachable with her clear, step-by-step instructions. Her weekly emails are a source of constant inspiration, filled with recipes that are always worth trying.
Jenn has also compiled her culinary expertise into two outstanding cookbooks: Once Upon a Chef, the Cookbook: 100 Tested, Perfected, and Family-Approved Recipes and Once Upon a Chef: Weeknight/Weekend: 70 Quick-Fix Weeknight Dinners + 30 Luscious Weekend Recipes. Both are available on Amazon and make fantastic additions to any home cook’s collection.
Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner solution or a dish to impress your guests, Jenn Segal’s recipes are a treasure trove of delicious possibilities. Give them a try—you won’t be disappointed!
Follow Jenn on Instagram.