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Taster is a community for all the food lovers. Food is our most important identity. We are here to fix your food cravings and feed you with food for thought. Here you will find news headlines of the culinary industry, insightful opinions from talented writers, as well as expert bucket lists covering the things we love.
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Liz Kao Founder
Liz Kao is a food writer, critic, and multimedia creator. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from National Taiwan University and a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School, and is licensed to practice law in both Taiwan and New York State. Since embarking on her culinary writing journey in 2011, Liz has become one of the most influential voices in Taiwan’s new generation of food media. In 2024, she was invited to serve as the Curator of the Presidential Inaugural State Banquet of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Liz began her creative career with the blog Self-Taught Gourmet, which laid the foundation for an expanding ecosystem of culinary content. She later founded the food media platform Taster, the curated e-commerce brand Taster Selection, the podcast Culinary Keywords, and the YouTube channel Self-Taught Gourmet. Across these platforms, she offers in-depth analysis of fine dining, culinary culture, and global restaurant trends. Her reporting frequently takes her to major international culinary events and awards, establishing her as a key opinion leader in high-end restaurant criticism.
Liz is a frequent speaker at industry forums and academic programs and serves as a judge for many culinary awards, including 500 Plates and Tatler Best. She has been recognized by La Vie Creative Power 100 and Tatler Generation T for her contributions to the culinary field.
Her published works include My Japanese Pantry (2012), Keywords by Liz: A Self-Taught Gourmet’s Journey and Insider Picks (2019), and Keywords by Liz II: The Food Critic and the Critique (2024). Her forthcoming book, Welcome to the Table: Twelve Chefs and the Golden Decade of Taiwanese Fine Dining, will be released in 2026.