Cynthia Chen Mcternan

About the Author

Cynthia Chen McTernan is a celebrated cookbook author and photographer whose work beautifully intertwines her diverse cultural heritage with the joys of communal cooking. Born to Taiwanese immigrant parents in the United States, she grew up bridging Eastern and Western traditions, a fusion that deeply informs her culinary perspective. In her debut book, A Common Table: 80 Recipes and Stories from My Shared Cultures: A Cookbook, Cynthia shares heartfelt narratives alongside accessible recipes that celebrate family gatherings, cultural exchanges, and the simple pleasures of a shared meal. Through vivid photography and evocative storytelling, she invites readers to explore their own cultural tapestries at the dinner table, making her a fresh voice in contemporary food writing that emphasizes connection over complexity.