About Jane

I help people experience the joy of slow food through hands-on cooking and baking classes
that teach practical skills, deepen confidence, and create meaningful connection around the table.

In a world filled with social media food content and quick fixes, Wholesomely Jane is a place to slow down, work with your hands, and share something meaningful with others.

Jane cooking

Where my love of food began

Cooking reconnects us to who we are, where we come from, and one another.

As the daughter of Chinese immigrants, food has always been central to my identity, my relationships, and how I experience the world. I grew up in a household where cooking was both a matter of practicality — my family could not afford to eat out — and our primary way of caring for one another. My mother's love language taught me to understand home-cooked foods as nourishment, a way of staying connected to our roots, and expressing love through everyday acts of service. Good food takes time, and through wholesomelyjane, I hope to share this more patient and intentional way of cooking, gathering, and caring for one another.

The wholesomelyjane Experience

A Teaching Style Rooted in Curiosity, Community, and Care

My approach to teaching has been shaped by community, hands-on experience, and a deep curiosity about how food works. At Yale, I helped run a student pop-up dining club, where I first learned to cook with hospitality in mind, thinking not just about the food itself, but about how to make guests feel welcomed, cared for, and well fed. Later, teaching kids through Sprouts Cooking Club taught me how to make cooking approachable and how to break down more complex ideas into simple, encouraging steps. I came to cooking through my own curiosity and hands-on learning, and when something in the kitchen sparks my interest, I tend to dive in fully, studying technique, experimenting repeatedly, and paying close attention to the details that make food truly great. That same curiosity shapes how I teach today: not just recipes, but the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to feel empowered in the kitchen long after class ends.

Jane

My teaching philosophy

Building Confidence in the Home Kitchen

I truly believe that anyone can cook. Even techniques that seem intimidating — like high-hydration breads — can be mastered with the right guidance. A good teacher helps you feel comfortable and confident in the kitchen while sharing the practical tips that make success possible.

I keep my classes small (capped at eight people) so the experience feels like cooking in a friend's home. Each class is intentionally designed to minimize unnecessary busywork and maximize the time you spend learning techniques, getting hands-on practice, and connecting with other guests.

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What guests have shared

I completed a 2-day private sourdough workshop with Jane and it was nothing short of remarkable. Jane was extremely knowledgeable about the process and patiently answered all my questions ... While I've done a lot of home baking myself, I've always felt intimidated by the long multi-day process — Jane guided me through each step while giving me enough autonomy to build confidence in doing it on my own.

Recent private sourdough lesson guest

Jane is patient, grounded, and explains things in a way that makes it easy to get started. I especially appreciated how she shares context from her own baking journey — it really helps you build confidence and continue learning on your own.

Recent English muffin class guest

Jane is an amazing teacher! She worked tirelessly to prepare the starter, utensils, and two different baking tools. I'd recommend Jane to anyone. I'm currently working on my own starter because Jane lent me some of hers.

Recent English muffin class guest

Why "wholesomely jane"? My last name is Li — so "wholesomely" is a little play on words. Wholesome Li, wholesome cooking, wholesome community. If you're looking for us online, the URL is wholesomelyjane.com — the "y" stays!

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