Elise Jesse

8 years in local television as a sports reporter and 5 years as a writer for Sports Illustrated covering the NFL with an emphasis on the Cincinnati Bengals
Recipient of an Ohio Valley Emmy Award in broadcast journalism
Creator of @ejscookin, a FoodTok account with almost 90K followers

Experience

Elise is a home chef, recipe developer and food influencer. She enjoys experimenting with different flavors and techniques and sharing the results with her thousands (and thousands) of followers on TikTok and Instagram.

Her cooking experience spans decades, beginning in her Grandma Jan's kitchen, where she watched in awe as everyday meals became events complete with individual desserts. Elise helped her mother re-create recipes from Taste of Home in the '80s and '90s, and now she takes pride in sharing the joy of cooking with her own family.

Outside Taste of Home, Elise is chasing after her young daughter and son and attending University of Cincinnati basketball games in support of her husband. You can also find her tending to the family's "pizza garden" or watching '90s movies.

Education

Mount Saint Joseph University, bachelor's in psychology with a minor in communication studies

Taste of Home Editorial Policies

Taste of Home, a Trusted Media Brand, has been a reliable source for recipes, cooking tips and entertaining advice for more than 30 years. Every month, our content inspires well over 20 million home cooks to get creative in the kitchen. Each one of our 40 thousand recipes has gone through a rigorous testing and approval process to ensure we’re sharing the very best. Every snack, ingredient and product we recommend is tested by our team of culinary experts and professional product testers—the best of the best earn our Test Kitchen-Preferred seal of approval. Learn more about Taste of Home and our Test Kitchen and editorial teams.

Articles & Recipes

Elise Jesse’s Holiday Pizza Wreaths

If a flaky croissant and your favorite pizzeria had a baby, it would look and taste like these pizza bites. Made with buttery puff pastry and whatever toppings your heart desires, these little bites are crisp, gooey and absolutely impossible to stop eating. Think of these cutout pizza bites as a bagel bite upgrade. They are quick and easy to assemble, and they'll be a hit at your next party. —Elise Jesse, Cincinnati, Ohio

Elise Jesse’s Giant Super Bowl Burger

When the biggest game of the year hits the screen, you need an appetizer that is just as big. This foot-wide Super Bowl burger is built to feed a hungry crowd and impress the toughest fans. From the homemade skillet bun to the double-patty stack and bold game-day sauce, every layer is designed for maximum flavor and drama. Slice it like a pizza, pass it around and watch it disappear before halftime. —Elise Jesse, Cincinnati, Ohio

Elise Jesse’s Prosciutto Pear Cups

If you’re looking for an easy show-stopping appetizer that feels elegant but comes together in minutes, these prosciutto pear cups are the perfect bite-sized indulgence. Crispy, salty prosciutto forms the base for creamy Brie and a bright pear-arugula salad that’s lightly dressed with olive oil, thyme and a drizzle of balsamic. The result is a beautiful balance of sweet, savory and tangy flavors. —Elise Jesse, Cincinnati, Ohio