Welcome to Dish Lister!
Frustrated by recipes that don’t live up to the hype?
You’re not alone. With countless recipes online—some hits, many misses— it can be overwhelming to figure out which ones are worth your time (and your ingredients).
Enter Dish Lister: your trusted guide for cutting through the culinary noise. I share well-tested recipes and advice you can rely on, so whether you’re cooking dinner or planning your next food adventure, you get delicious, successful results every time.
I’m a part-time professional recipe tester with nine years of experience in food media and cookbooks, plus culinary school training and a lifelong love of food. I know what makes a recipe work—and more importantly, what makes it taste amazing. My superpower? Spotting which recipes deliver in real life, not just on paper.
I started Dish Lister because friends, family, and colleagues kept asking for my go-to recipes, favorite restaurants, and general culinary advice. Over the years, I’ve become a trusted source for anyone looking for practical, reliable, and tasty recommendations.
I hope Dish Lister becomes your shortcut to delicious, dependable cooking—helping you spend less time guessing and more time enjoying great food.
This newsletter isn’t simply a laundry list of recipes, but rather a thoughtfully curated collection of regulars in my rotation, each tested (and occasionally perfected) in my own kitchen.
In Dish Lister, you’ll find:
Timeless, crave-worthy recipes that are guaranteed to succeed
Practical culinary tips and insights
Valuable food resources—kitchen tools, cookbooks, apps, podcasts, newsletters, and more
Honest reviews of new products and food trends—what’s worth trying, and what to skip
Whether you're looking for weeknight dinner solutions, clever kitchen tips, or new flavors to explore, Dish Lister offers trusted food advice you can count on—no guesswork, no disappointments, just reliably delicious results every time.
As a paid subscriber, you’ll receive:
Exclusive (and well-tested!) original recipes
Access to my “2025 Most Popular Recipes” archive—a curated collection of my greatest hits
Personalized cooking guidance and recommendations: ask me about any ingredient, and I’ll suggest delicious recipes you can make with it. Think of me as your personal kitchen concierge.
Priority input on future newsletter topics
And, of course, my heartfelt gratitude for supporting this passion project!
As a free subscriber, you’ll get:
Weekly published posts
What My Subscribers Are Saying…
“With years of professional recipe-testing experience, Kerry Faber offers something rare: culinary advice you can genuinely trust.”
“Kerry’s Substack is wonderful—every time she posts, you can expect incredible recipes (we’ve added so many to our cooking wish list!), paired with great tips and general kitchen wisdom.”
“Kerry is the friend that is going to tell you straight up if a recipe is going to work or not. I love that as a professional recipe tester, she shares her insights, guidance, and recommendations to help us all in the kitchen!”
"Kerry Faber is a mastermind of finding and creating fantastic recipes. They usually don’t require an exorbitant amount of effort either…Talk about inspiration!”
“If Kerry Faber has developed it, you know the recipe is going to 1) be delicious, and 2) turn out well ever time! 🙌”
“Kerry has exquisite taste in recipes! Delicious, achievable, and nourishing.”
“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.”
"I love your tips for enjoying cooking and dining. This last post on how to stock the pantry was incredible!"
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 FoodStak, which you can check out here.
In my spare time I love to travel and go on active, adventurous family trips. Our vacations usually center around discovering the best restaurants and taking food tours to experience the local cuisine.
Links to Some of My Most Popular Posts:
10 Essential Recipes Every Home Cook Should Master
8 Invaluable Lessons I’ve Learned As A Professional Recipe Tester
These 8 Tips Changed My Muffins For the Better
Kitchen Hacks The Experts Swear By
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
What’s Actually Worth Buying At Trader Joe’s This Fall
This Viral High-Protein Bagel Trend Totally Surprised Me
Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies
I’d love your feedback on my newsletter so I can continue to be a valuable and trusted resource for you. Subscribe below to ensure you never miss an issue, check out my eating out escapades on Beli, and be sure to follow me as Dish Lister on Instagram and TikTok. Please also share my newsletter with the fellow foodies in your life! Thank you!
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