Welcome to Dish Lister!
Dish Lister is your go-to source for trusted, tested recipes, kitchen wisdom, and curated food recommendations—all designed to inspire and delight.
I’ve worked as a part-time professional recipe tester for the past eight years, across food media and cookbooks. My job is to follow recipes exactly as written to verify that they work reliably, yield the expected results, and can be successfully replicated by home cooks.
Thanks to this experience (plus culinary school training and a lifelong love of food), I’ve earned a bit of a reputation as a “recipe whisperer.” I’ve developed an expert, almost instinctive feel for how recipes function: what makes them work, and what makes them taste great. I like to think my superpower is knowing which recipes don’t just look good on paper, but also succeed in real life.
The Dish Lister newsletter was born from the countless requests I’ve received over the years—from friends, family, and colleagues—asking for my favorite recipes, essential dining spots, and must-have products. After years of sharing trusted advice, I’ve become a dependable, thoughtful resource for those who count on my recommendations. My hope is that you’ll find my suggestions in Dish Lister just as helpful, informative, and enjoyable.
In my newsletter, you’ll get dependable, trusted ideas for meals, along with some of my most valued culinary insights. Whether you're searching for a go-to dinner, a clever tip, or a delicious new flavor, Dish Lister aims to inspire your cooking and elevate your food experiences.
As a subscriber, you’ll get:
Timeless, craveable recipes that deliver
Valuable culinary tips and techniques I’ve picked up over the years (from mentors and plenty of trial and error!)
My most relied-on food resources: kitchen tools, cookbooks, apps, podcasts, newsletters, and more
Thoughtful, honest reviews of new products and food trends—what’s worth trying, and what to skip
For my paid subscribers, you’ll also receive:
Bonus original (and well-tested!) recipes
Exclusive access to my “2025 Most Popular Recipes”
Restaurant recommendations in the NJ/NYC area where I live, plus must-visit spots from my travels
My heartfelt gratitude for supporting my passion project
What My Subscribers Are Saying…
"These are some of the best practical cooking / recipe tips!"
"I love your tips for enjoying cooking and dining. This last post on how to stock the pantry was incredible!"
“This was the cheat sheet of my dreams, Kerry! Such great suggestions here.” (My top 10 favorite flavor bombs)
“Kerry, I've seen this gnarly issue tackled many times, but never so well, so nuanced, and effectively! A big BRAVO on this fabulous post.” (Strategies for raising kids to become more adventurous eaters)
“Thank you for this awesome recipe. THE BEST COOKIE I HAVE EVER MADE - and that’s saying something; I’ve made a PILE of cookies!” (Subscriber who made my Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies)
“Nice post Kerry. Your experience shows in your recommendations.”
“Simply fantastic tips! I wish I’d had this when I returned to cooking a few years back after a long hiatus.”
This morning’s bake session: Kerry Faber’s high protein bagels & now I’ve started a new Easter tradition - fabulous! (Subscriber who made my High-Protein Bagels)
Who Am I?
A few fun facts about me:
I graduated from NYC’s Institute of Culinary Education in 2016 after a successful two-decade career as a beauty marketing executive. Since then, I’ve worked as a part-time professional recipe tester for both food media and cookbooks. This hands-on work, combined with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of great cooking, has given me the confidence and know-how to develop delicious, reliable recipes of my own. For more on my experiences as a recipe tester, take a listen to this fun podcast I did!
I live in a New Jersey suburb, just outside NYC, with my husband and two teenage boys. Thankfully, my kids are adventurous eaters who share my love for food and (usually) don’t mind my constant culinary experimentation.
I have an ever-growing cookbook collection (currently over 500 strong) that reflects the many stages of my culinary journey. It’s now a color-coded centerpiece in my living room (see below!). While I’m reluctant to pick favorites, I do have a select “desert island cookbook arsenal” I cannot live without. I did a Q&A about my cookbook collection with FoodStack Library, which you can check out here.
In my spare time I love to travel and go on active, adventurous family trips. Our vacations usually revolve around discovering the best restaurants and taking food tours to experience the local cuisine.
Links to Some of My Most Popular Posts:
8 Invaluable Lessons I’ve Learned As A Professional Recipe Tester
Best Recipes to Fall In Love With Dates
8 Strategies I’ve Used to Raise Kids Who Eat (Almost) Everything
Flavor Bombs Guaranteed to Transform Your Cooking
This Viral High-Protein Bagel Trend Totally Surprised Me
Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies
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