Hidden in the alleys of Taipei, the Kosher Culinary Lab carries the remarkable journey of a chef.

Hidden in the alleys of Taipei, the Kosher Culinary Lab carries the remarkable journey of a chef.

At the Kosher Culinary Lab of the Jeffrey D. Schwartz Jewish Community Center (JCC)Executive Chef Sherilyn Fan once walked the elite path of Taipei First Girls’ High School, NTU, and even Taiwan’s Civil Aviation exams. Yet, at the age of 30, she made a graceful leap of faith, pursuing culinary studies in France before moving to Israel for eight years. There, she was deeply immersed in the discipline of kosher traditions and the philosophy behind them.

Upon returning to Taiwan, she not only brought the essence of the Mediterranean to the table but also infused her creations with the delicacy of local Taiwanese ingredients and the elegance of French gastronomy. Her cuisine is not mere imitation, but a new interpretation of local × global × kosher spirit.

For her, kosher is not only about health—clean ingredients and pure cooking—it also reflects the Jewish wisdom of distinction and respect for food. Around the kosher table, people gather, share, and connect.

Today, at JCC’s Kosher Culinary Lab, you will find not only Mediterranean flavors but even kosher-style Chinese cuisine—familiar tastes reimagined with purity. More than a feast, it is a passport that takes your palate across cultures, into the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

Chef Sherilyn’s cuisine is both a cross-cultural story and a courageous journey of pursuing dreams.

Watch Chef Sherilyn’s full story on mnews: