Jake Cohen Wants You to Throw a Party
His new book, Dinner Party Animal, invites you to make any day a celebration
Jake Cohen wants to feed everyone with joy and intention.
The self-described “nice Jewish boy” has made a career from sharing recipes — and joy — with the world. The chef, author, and TV personality literally started his culinary career by watching Food Network shows and recreating the recipes for his friends. That joy of breaking bread has led to a successful career with Cohen, authoring two New York Times bestsellers: Jew-ish and I Could Nosh. In addition, Cohen is a frequent guest on The Drew Barrymore Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Good Morning America, and the Food Network — bringing it all full circle.
Cohen doesn’t just call himself a “nice Jewish boy” — he is. The author and cooking maven is involved with City Harvest, an organization that helps provide New Yorkers with nutritious food. According to its website, about 1.4 million New Yorkers are currently experiencing food insecurity, including seniors and one in four New York City Children. City Harvest has launched its annual High Holidays Food Drive, aiming to provide kosher food to Jewish New Yorkers facing food insecurity during the High Holidays. This specific drive runs through October 13.
Cohen is also publishing a new book called Dinner Party Animal. Set to be released September 30, 2025, the book encourages people to make every day a celebration. Broken Palate chatted with Cohen to find out more about the book and how to turn any day into its own holiday.
Broken Palate: Your new book, Dinner Party Animal, comes out later this month. In it, you talk about turning everyday life into a celebration. Can you share what that means to you?
Jake Cohen: Intention is everything! When you put headspace towards meaningful gatherings with those you love over good food, it’s always a celebration that deserves gratitude and abundance!
BP: I think we all stress throwing a gathering at our homes -- you strive to make it more simplified. Can you share three tips for making a gathering less stressful?
JC: This is going to sound crazy, but the first tip is looking at yourself in the mirror and saying, “I got this, it’s going to be a wonderful night.” I’m big on energy and manifesting, and your vibe rubs off on your food and the way you host. Go in positively and you’ll always see a better result. Tip two is prep to the max! Each menu in my book has a timeline for every component that can be prepared, so you don’t end up chained to the kitchen all night. And third, pivot with ease! Not enough plates? Use paper! Somebody cancel? Invite your neighbor! Something didn’t go as planned? A lesson for your next party!
BP: What is your favorite holiday/non-holiday to throw a gathering? With the holidays coming up, what is your favorite?
JC: I love hosting Yom Kippur break fast, since everyone is so hungry that great food tastes even better. I have a bagel menu in the book that I’ll be making with all the fixings and homemade bagels. They’re much easier than they seem!
BP: You do work with City Harvest -- and your book is about sharing food with loved ones? Can you share what it means to you to help people put food on their tables?
JC: The book is truly about community, so there’s no better way to give back and support the local New York community than by making sure everyone has easy access to nutritious food.
BP: You have an entire section in your book for last-minute get-togethers. Can you share a tip or two for those last-minute "Hey I'm in the neighborhood" calls?
JC: Be stocked on the pantry or freezer staples you can pull out for a last-minute get-together! When you have a few recipes you can jump to, you get to focus on the people. Keep it simple.
BP: What is in your kitchen that we should all have to keep just in case a friend comes so they can have a nosh and a drink?
JC: My go-to is cookie dough in the freezer to bake a little something sweet to enjoy! But for healthier noshing, I like to have dips and crudités or chips on hand for my own snacking, ready to share.