Jane Li

As a Chinese-American, some of my strongest memories revolve around food – making dumplings with family, gathering around home-cooked meals, and learning that food is about much more than putting food in our bellies. It's culture, tradition, creativity, and a way of bringing people together.Professionally, I spent several years working in the food industry as a marketer for consumer food brands. While I enjoyed telling food stories, I eventually realized what excited me most wasn't selling products but empowering people to live healthier lives by cooking more foods from scratch.That led me to start Wholesomely Jane, a series of intimate cooking workshops in San Francisco focused on traditional techniques, from-scratch cooking, and culinary skills that build confidence in the kitchen. Whether we're hand-shaping sourdough English muffins or wrapping zongzi for Dragon Boat Festival, my goal is to help students understand not just what to do, but the why and how behind each step. I love breaking down techniques step-by-step so students leave with real understanding rather than simply following instructions.When I'm not teaching, you'll usually find me baking sourdough, sewing an outfit, hiking with friends, and dreaming up new workshops. I'm especially passionate about preserving culinary traditions that are often passed down informally from generation to generation.What I love most about teaching is watching someone go from "I've never done this before" to "I can't believe I made that." Those moments of confidence, curiosity, and connection are what Wholesomely Jane is all about.