Trading Secrets 264. Jake Cohen: From the Culinary Institute of America to best-selling cookbook author, the true BTS of the culinary industry, his unconventional career path, & the shocking $$$ behind it all
Nov 24, 2025
01:30:17
This week, Jason is joined by bestselling author, chef, and digital creator, Jake Cohen!
Jake has become one of the most recognizable culinary voices of his generation, building an empire at the intersection of food, culture and social media. Jake has used his creativity to turn recipes into a thriving brand. His cookbooks Jew-ish, I Could Nosh, and his recent release Dinner Party Animal became instant bestsellers - earning praise for blending nostalgia with modern flavor, and for celebrating heritage beyond food. Jake is a master of brand strategy. Through his Wake and Jake platform, he has launched partnerships with major brands, developed original media content, and positioned himself as a culinary entrepreneur, redefining what it means to build a kitchen brand in a digital age.
Jake Cohen dives into his unconventional career path—jumping from the Culinary Institute of America into a 3-star Michelin kitchen, navigating low-paying editorial roles, test kitchens, and even a year as a Time Out New York food critic—all while staying true to himself and chasing an end goal he couldn’t yet fully see. He breaks down the realities of making ends meet, the differences between editorial and commercial shoots, how labor impacts the way he approaches dining out, and why maintaining a healthy relationship with social media matters. Jake opens up about his first cookbook pitch getting rejected, the surprising cost of cookbook photography, taking creative control of his team after book one, nearly joining a culinary hype house, and his “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” philosophy. He also shares how his Hulu show Jake Makes It Easy came together, when he knew he had the makings of a reality star, the power of word-of-mouth momentum, and closes with rapid fire questions.
Jake reveals all this and so much more in another episode you can’t afford to miss!
Host: Jason Tartick
Co-Host: David Arduin
Audio: John Gurney
Guest: Jake Cohen
Stay connected with the Trading Secrets Podcast!
Instagram: @tradingsecretspodcast
Youtube: Trading Secrets
Facebook: Join the Group
All Access: Free 30-Day Trial
Trading Secrets Steals & Deals!
Prolon:
We’ve all set health goals—lose weight, exercise more, eat better—but without a plan, they often fade. That’s where Prolon comes in. Prolon offers an injection-free way to lose weight and burn fat while protecting lean muscle - and maintain results. In just five days, it activates fasting pathways to support metabolic health and rejuvenate cells—all while letting you enjoy real food. For a limited time, Prolon is offering listeners 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit ProlonLife.com/TRADINGSECRETS to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift.
Function Health:
The holidays can take a lot out of you—late nights, travel, endless to-do lists. You might push through, but your body feels every bit of it. Function helps you explore how stress may affect key health markers inside your body. Function is a near-360 view to see what’s happening in your body, and my first 1000 followers get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/TRADINGSECRETS or use gift code TRADINGSECRETS100 at sign up to own your health
Booking.com:
If your vacation rental isn't listed on Booking.com, it could be invisible to millions of travelers searching the platform. Don't miss out on consistent bookings and global reach. Head over to Booking.com and start your listing today. Get Seen. Get Booked on Booking.com
Upwork:
Instead of spending weeks sorting through random resumes, Upwork Business Plus sends a curated shortlist of expert talent to your inbox in hours. Trusted, top-rated freelancers vetted for skills and reliability.... and rehired by businesses like yours. When you spend $1,000 on Upwork Business Plus, you'll get $500 in credit. Go to Upwork.com/SAVE now and claim the offer before 12/31/2025.
Jake has become one of the most recognizable culinary voices of his generation, building an empire at the intersection of food, culture and social media. Jake has used his creativity to turn recipes into a thriving brand. His cookbooks Jew-ish, I Could Nosh, and his recent release Dinner Party Animal became instant bestsellers - earning praise for blending nostalgia with modern flavor, and for celebrating heritage beyond food. Jake is a master of brand strategy. Through his Wake and Jake platform, he has launched partnerships with major brands, developed original media content, and positioned himself as a culinary entrepreneur, redefining what it means to build a kitchen brand in a digital age.
Jake Cohen dives into his unconventional career path—jumping from the Culinary Institute of America into a 3-star Michelin kitchen, navigating low-paying editorial roles, test kitchens, and even a year as a Time Out New York food critic—all while staying true to himself and chasing an end goal he couldn’t yet fully see. He breaks down the realities of making ends meet, the differences between editorial and commercial shoots, how labor impacts the way he approaches dining out, and why maintaining a healthy relationship with social media matters. Jake opens up about his first cookbook pitch getting rejected, the surprising cost of cookbook photography, taking creative control of his team after book one, nearly joining a culinary hype house, and his “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” philosophy. He also shares how his Hulu show Jake Makes It Easy came together, when he knew he had the makings of a reality star, the power of word-of-mouth momentum, and closes with rapid fire questions.
Jake reveals all this and so much more in another episode you can’t afford to miss!
Host: Jason Tartick
Co-Host: David Arduin
Audio: John Gurney
Guest: Jake Cohen
Stay connected with the Trading Secrets Podcast!
Instagram: @tradingsecretspodcast
Youtube: Trading Secrets
Facebook: Join the Group
All Access: Free 30-Day Trial
Trading Secrets Steals & Deals!
Prolon:
We’ve all set health goals—lose weight, exercise more, eat better—but without a plan, they often fade. That’s where Prolon comes in. Prolon offers an injection-free way to lose weight and burn fat while protecting lean muscle - and maintain results. In just five days, it activates fasting pathways to support metabolic health and rejuvenate cells—all while letting you enjoy real food. For a limited time, Prolon is offering listeners 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit ProlonLife.com/TRADINGSECRETS to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift.
Function Health:
The holidays can take a lot out of you—late nights, travel, endless to-do lists. You might push through, but your body feels every bit of it. Function helps you explore how stress may affect key health markers inside your body. Function is a near-360 view to see what’s happening in your body, and my first 1000 followers get a $100 credit toward their membership. Visit www.functionhealth.com/TRADINGSECRETS or use gift code TRADINGSECRETS100 at sign up to own your health
Booking.com:
If your vacation rental isn't listed on Booking.com, it could be invisible to millions of travelers searching the platform. Don't miss out on consistent bookings and global reach. Head over to Booking.com and start your listing today. Get Seen. Get Booked on Booking.com
Upwork:
Instead of spending weeks sorting through random resumes, Upwork Business Plus sends a curated shortlist of expert talent to your inbox in hours. Trusted, top-rated freelancers vetted for skills and reliability.... and rehired by businesses like yours. When you spend $1,000 on Upwork Business Plus, you'll get $500 in credit. Go to Upwork.com/SAVE now and claim the offer before 12/31/2025.