Lei Shishak
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.
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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.
Stories By Lei Shishak
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The new Agua Refrescas from Taco Bell are a limited-time release, so we got in on the taste-test before they sell out. This is a drink you'll want to sip.
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The creative array of Mendocino Farms sandwiches offers something for everyone. After a taste test, we ranked a variety of these sandwiches from worst to best.
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There are plenty of frozen foods options out there, and Saffron Road's meals always stand out. How exactly do they stack up, though? We ranked them.
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The technique of poaching pears delivers a luxurious result without a significant effort. Follow these tips to quickly excel at the process.
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Though French buttercream is perfectly makeable, it can be a little tricky ─ for both beginners and cake connoisseurs. Here are some pointers from a pastry pro.
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It is time to turn over a new leaf and start using some easy cake-cutting hacks that preserve the beauty of your cake - and maintain your sanity.
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Apple tarte tatin is the kind of dessert that intimidates even the most experienced home bakers, but we've consulted an expert to help with this stunning treat.
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Canned cranberry sauce can be polarizing side to place on your holiday table. Use these tips to take your saucy red Turkey Day side from drab to fab.
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If you crave perfectly baked, buttery scones, we have the ultimate guide for you. Read on for the 12 tips you need when making homemade scones.
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Freezing cheesecake might seem simple enough, but there are plenty of common mistakes to avoid during the process. Luckily, we're here to help.
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You don't need to stress over exact measurements when making nachos, but you do need a proper mix of toppings and a solid technique. Here's how to do it right.
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Gazpacho has garnered a reputation for being a delicious and refreshing cold soup. If you avoid these common mistakes, you may just get the perfect gazpacho.
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What's the best frosting at your local supermarket? From Betty Crocker to Duncan Hines, Hershey's to Aldi, we tried (and ranked) them all.
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Cake pops are a delicious, aesthetically pleasing dessert, and not nearly as hard to make as they may look - as long as you follow these handy tips.
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No cake is complete without good decoration, but you don't have to be intimidated by the process - just follow these helpful tips and get piping.
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You can't go wrong with chocolate ice cream - depending on which brand's you choose. We ranked the flavor from popular brands to help you choose the best.
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Butter makes just about every baked good better, but there are definitely things you need to know when working with it. These tips will help.
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A well-stocked baking pantry helps you work more efficiently in the kitchen, and these items are absolute must-haves no matter what you're baking.
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When summer rolls around, we start craving light and airy desserts like angel food cake. Here are 13 ways to make sure yours is marvelously spongy.
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We think that every day is a fine day to enjoy chocolate cake, and with these suggestions, you'll be able to elevate your recipe to the next level.
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Crispy, delicious, and perfect for dumping in your favorite coffee, biscotti is a café favorite. However, you can make it at home with excellent results.
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Eating granola every day the same 'ol way can get boring fast. So to break up the monotony, we've compiled our favorite tasty ways to use granola at any time.
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You might normally overlook the cheaper steak cuts at your local grocer, but these tips from Katie Flannery will help you get the most out of them.
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Egg salad might seem pretty straightforward, but there are plenty of pitfalls to avoid and tips to keep in mind to make sure it turns out delicious.
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Have leftover muffins, but they're getting stale? Fear not; we have 13 stellar tips for returning those stale muffins to tasting oven fresh.
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The Capital Grille's menu is replete with delectable dishes and steakhouse classics, so we decided to rank the very best of what it has to offer.
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Tasty by itself or in a sandwich, chicken salad is also deliciously varied. Here are our favorite tips to boost your next chicken salad recipe.