TikTok Star Shares Her Mother’s Korean Recipes to ‘Speak Back to Her’ in Her ‘Language of Love’ (Exclusive)

**Mother-Daughter Duo Wins Prestigious James Beard Award with New Cookbook**

In an inspiring culinary journey, Sarah Ahn and her mother, Nam Soon Ahn, have made headlines with their cookbook “Umma,” which recently garnered them a James Beard Award. The pair utilise their TikTok platform, @ahnestkitchen, to connect with audiences, sharing not just recipes but the rich narratives of working-class cooks who often remain underrepresented in mainstream media.

Sarah, 30, began her project during the pandemic, with the initial aim of showcasing her mother’s Korean recipes amidst a backdrop where such perspectives lacked visibility. Committed to presenting a more authentic account of immigrant cooking, Sarah wanted to capture the way food serves as a love language in her family. She expressed a desire to celebrate the everyday cooking that defines their lives, stating, “My mom’s food reflects our culture and our experiences.”

The TikTok account blossomed into a phenomenon, amassing 1.4 million followers as Sarah shared her mother’s stories and culinary skills. One of the pivotal moments in Sarah’s social media journey was a heartfelt video documenting her mother’s return to Korea after three decades, blending her mother’s restaurant expertise with her own storytelling abilities. Together, their content encapsulates what Sarah describes as “the richness in the ordinary.”

The success from TikTok spurred the duo to write their bestselling cookbook, “Umma,” which not only features a variety of delicious recipes but also highlights the conversations and relationships that emerged throughout the process. For Sarah, the experience was deeply personal. Writing the book became a way to preserve her mother’s legacy of cooking, which she likened to a “language of love.” This understanding gave her a fresh perspective on the importance of these recipes as an enduring connection to her family and culture.

Reflecting on the writing process, Sarah noted the emotional weight of learning traditional recipes. She expressed a heartfelt wish to master kimchi, saying, “I want to be able to eat kimchi when I’m older when my mum is gone.” This desire, she realised, was not solely about the food; it represented the yearning to communicate love through the act of cooking, just as her mother had done for her throughout her life.

The cookbook’s publication was seen as a significant achievement for both women, especially given their humble beginnings. Sarah observed that pursuing a dream like writing a cookbook felt like an ‘unimaginable’ leap for someone from a working-class background. However, she credited social media for providing a platform free from traditional barriers, allowing her and her mother to share their story and creativity with a wider audience.

Winning the James Beard Award was a surreal experience for Sarah and her mother. “It felt like all our hard work and life’s challenges were validated,” she remarked, acknowledging the hurdles they had faced along their journey. She emphasised that overcoming those obstacles instilled valuable lessons, teaching them the importance of resilience and the desire to connect through food.

As they look to the future, both mother and daughter are open to the idea of another cookbook but remain focused on fostering their community. “We would never say never to a second cookbook, but we want to stay connected to our followers and build our platform authentically,” Sarah explained. They intend to continue showcasing their culinary adventures while remaining true to their roots and the stories of those who inspired them.

The establishment of Ahnest Kitchen has allowed Sarah and Nam Soon Ahn to weave their identities into a larger narrative that champions the everyday experiences of immigrant families through food. They hope that “Umma” serves as an inspiration for others to cherish and embrace the recipes that resonate deeply with their own heritage, especially for those connected to cultures often rooted in hardship and survival.

With plans to keep evolving their social media presence and further deepen their relationship with followers, the Ahn family continues to celebrate the transformative power of food—a vibrant testament to love, culture, and resilience.