About

Unpeeled Journal is the IACP Award-winning food blog where we explore all things food. The goal is to to empower and inspire cooks of all levels, bakers, enthusiastic food lovers, and everyone in between.

Here’s what you’ll find:

• Recipes: Tried and true recipes for every occasion and every skill level
• How-Tos: Cooking and baking tips from a pro
• Features: Travel dining guides, in-depth articles, interviews with women in food, and more
• The Food + Grief Project: Resources and writing exploring the connection between food and grief

Meet Lisa Kolb Ruland, the creator and editor of Unpeeled Journal, winner of the prestigious IACP Award for Best Individual Food Blog.

Background

Lisa began her career in a far different field: as a U.S. Senate staffer. Later, she earned a law degree and worked as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx County D.A.’s Office in New York. Realizing that her passion lay in sweeter pursuits, Lisa swapped her business suit for a chef’s coat and earned a degree in baking and pastry from the Culinary Institute of America, where she was class valedictorian.

Lisa then worked as a professional pastry chef in some of New York City’s top bake shops, crafting wedding cakes, pastries, and baked cookies by the thousands. Eventually, Lisa found her happy place in food writing.

Food Writing + Recipe Development

Lisa’s food, recipe, and lifestyle writing has been featured in national publications including Condé Nast Traveler, Bon Appetit, Food52, Saveur, Taste, Eater, Washingtonian, Washington Post, and more.

You can also find her on her weekly Substack newsletter!

Widowed as a newlywed in her early 30s (she has since remarried), Lisa has explored the relationship between food and grief in Unpeeled and through interviews and personal essays for publications such as the BBC World Service (a James Beard Award-winning episode), Modern Loss, and The Washington Post.

Culinary Memberships and Guest Speaker Roles:

Lisa is a member of several leading culinary professional organizations, and a speaker on food and related topics. Appearances and professional memberships include: 

• Member, International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP)
• Member, Les Dames d’Escoffier International
• Speaker: M.F.K. Fisher Women in Food & Storytelling Symposium
• Food + Grief Speaker: IACP Talks
• Food + Grief Speaker: Soaring Spirits International

Unpeeled Journal is where Lisa’s love of food, cooking and baking know-how, and goal of building a warm community of fellow food lovers comes together. Enjoy, and reach out any time!