Our TeamKelli Foster

Kelli Foster

Culinary Producer

I develop recipes, style food for photos and produce recipe videos. I'm also The Kitchn's resident Dinner Therapist and write a monthly column solving readers' biggest dinner dilemmas.Mountain Lakes, NJKeep up with me on Apartment Therapy

About Me

I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer, with more than 10 years of professional experience. As an expert meal planner and avid home cook who loves grocery shopping and helping people figure out what to cook for dinner, I'm a natural fit as The Kitchn’s Dinner Therapist.

Since graduating from The University of Scranton and The French Culinary Institute, I've authored three cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.

My kitchen superpower is turning a random assortment of ingredients into easy, delicious dinners that even my young son will eat.

My pronouns

she/her/hers

I'm an expert in

  • answering the question of what to cook for dinner
  • how to meal plan

My education

French Culinary Institute

My Big Projects


Latest Stories

The Fudgy Brownies I Bring to Literally Everything
Bonus: They’re so easy to make.
Oct 12, 2024
12 Delicious Slow Cooker Drop Dinners That You Can Set and Forget
These toss-and-go meals do all the work for you.
Nov 30, 2022
This Refrigerated Costco Staple Helps Me Get Dinner on the Table in 5 Minutes
You can stash a package (or three!) in the freezer, too!
Aug 9, 2022
10 Essential Cookie Baking Tips that Pros and Seasoned Bakers Swear By
Read this before you begin baking!
Oct 11, 2021
This Is the One Thing You Should Always Do Before Freezing Meat
It's one of the best freezer tips I picked up from my mom.
Jul 1, 2020
10 Smart Trader Joe’s Secrets for Saving Time in the Kitchen
Among the shelves stocked with quirky snacks, irresistible cheesesdesserts Found in the produce section, this riced cauliflower wins us over with convenience. When it’s a race against the clock to get dinner on the table, this bag is way faster than blitzing a head of cauliflower in the food processor or shredding it on a box grater. It’s also a win for the uniform-sized “grains” that keep their shape without getting too soggy or watery during cooking.
May 3, 2019
The 7 Healthy Secrets of People Who Drink Plenty of Water
I will be the first to admit that I do not drink enough water during the work day. It’s not for lack of good intention: I start the day strong, but by mid-morning I slowly start falling off track. I’m certain that the culprits (okay, excuses) are the same ones that plague you (i.e., not getting up from my desk enough to refill my glass, forgetting to keep a glass on my desk, or when I do, simply forgetting about it). No more excuses!
May 3, 2019
A Smart and Frugal Way to Make Your Cast Iron Skillet Last Longer (With Just a Paper Towel)
The first time I cooked with my now-husband, I was surprised to learn he had a collection of cast iron pans in an array of sizes. What impressed me most wasn’t that he had a larger (and more well-seasoned) set of cast iron than me, but the smart way he stored his cast iron pans. Instead of simply nesting cast iron pans one inside another, metal on metal, he used a single paper towel to separate each piece of cookware to prevent friction.
May 3, 2019
Here’s Why We Put Oranges in Stockings at Christmas
What do you find in your stocking on Christmas morning? Aside from the requisite candy canes and fun stocking stuffers, I always know there will be an orange (usually a clementine) resting in the toe of my stocking. What I thought was simply a sweet family tradition actually has a lot more meaning, and it’s pretty interesting. My grandmother started the tradition in our family when my mother was young.
Dec 25, 2018
10 Things Smart Shoppers Always Do at the Grocery Store
The smartest shoppers really know how to make the most of their trips to the store. It’s a skill, one I’m sure many of us wish we were better at. Smart shoppers know how to stretch their dollar further, avoid buying unnecessary items, and make their store work for them. Want in on some of their secrets? Here are the 10 things smart shoppers always do.
Jan 18, 2018