Who’s Jo? The Story Behind “Taste Jo Food”

Hi! My name is Jocette but you can call me “Jo” and I am a food writer with a passion for Turkish cuisine, developed over six years of living in Istanbul and Izmir. However, my curiosity for flavors and culinary traditions extends globally.

I currently work at Christopher Kimball's Milk Street, where I get to geek out with culinary heavyweights like Cherie Denham, J. Kenji López-Alt, and Dan Pashman. My job? Making home cooks feel like kitchen rockstars through live cooking classes, which I host and moderate. Think of me as your trusty sidekick in the quest for kitchen confidence.

When I’m not guiding folks through the wonders of sautéing and seasoning, I dive deep into the food and beverage world. From food writing and recipe development to creating killer content and culinary education, I’ve done it all.

You might have come across my work in places like Tasting Table, Yabangee, and The Preserve Journal, where I dish out insights on global food trends, traditions, and the issues that tie it all together. My heart beats for food justice, agricultural sustainability, and bridging cultures through their culinary roots. Oh, and did I mention? I’ve got a Master of Liberal Arts in Gastronomy from Boston University, where I studied everything from the history of food to its sociopolitical impact. Yep, I’m always thinking about what’s on your plate!

In 2019, I officially became part of a Turkish family, and food quickly became my secret weapon for navigating the culture and building deep, meaningful connections. In Turkey, food is basically a love language—every gathering revolves around it! From rolling up sarma to sharing bowls of keşkek and flipping gözleme on a hot griddle, there’s an entire world of dishes that come to life when made and enjoyed together. It’s not just about the meal; it’s about community, tradition, and bonding over flavors that have been passed down for generations.

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