Nina Yellin

Nina Yellin was born in Philadelphia, PA. Her parents were 1st generation Americans. All grandparents were Russian immigrants (Ashkenazim) who first touched American soil at Ellis Island. Their cooking-style has prevailed. Culinary arts training for Nina began at a young age while watching her mother and bubbe (grandmother) prepare delicacies of Jewish cuisine. Kugel was frequently part of family gathering meals. As a teenager, she enjoyed enhancing recipes and that has been never-ending. With...See more

Nina Yellin was born in Philadelphia, PA. Her parents were 1st generation Americans. All grandparents were Russian immigrants (Ashkenazim) who first touched American soil at Ellis Island. Their cooking-style has prevailed. Culinary arts training for Nina began at a young age while watching her mother and bubbe (grandmother) prepare delicacies of Jewish cuisine. Kugel was frequently part of family gathering meals. As a teenager, she enjoyed enhancing recipes and that has been never-ending. With a business and art background, Nina's career path has included self-publishing and she is the author of several Jewish cookbooks featuring kugel. In 1988 she was first author to write a published cookbook primarily devoted to kugel. In addition to her love of cooking and baking, interests include fine art painting, fiber arts, and National Mah Jongg League style mah jongg. As a singer, Nina has performed with community and synagogue choirs and Sweet Adelines International 4-part harmony a cappella choruses. She has two daughters and three grandchildren and owns two rescued cats. They are all singers who play instruments, except the cats who only sing. Nina attributes their vocal abilities to the fact that they were virtually weaned on kugel. Education is in culinary arts, fine art, and business. She attended Peirce College, Wyomissing School of Fine Art, and Scottsdale Artists School. Volunteerism has included board positions for congregations, organizations, school PTA, and neighborhood HOA. Residences have included FL, SC, PA, AZ, TX and southern NJ. She now resides in central NJ. Travels have taken her to almost every state in the USA, and she has visited many countries around the world while scrutinizing their cuisines. This kugel maven (expert) is the world's premier Kugelologist. See less