it all began with

one perfect mother

hi, i am Jean Tseng

IT ALL BEGAN WITH ONE PERFECT MOTHER.
I am a self-taught cook and the product of the “third” culture mindset.  

Born in Taiwan, raised in LA - the third culture is the experience of living in two places and belonging to neither.    It’s a privilege that allowed me to create something from both worlds that feels like home.  It is not fusion.  It is American.  

My first life began with a corporate job.  In the midst of work, young kids, and my mother’s cancer diagnosis,  I came into this second life.  Our kids suffered from severe food allergies including dairy, nuts, oats, and even certain proteins.  When people asked what they couldn’t eat, it was easier to give them a list of what they could.   Over the last 14 years, I experimented with elimination diets, rotated high-frequency foods, and created allergy-friendly recipes just so they could enjoy that pizza or birthday cake along with their friends.  The good news is these recipes and techniques worked and the kids outgrew most of their allergies.  

My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer soon after the birth of my third child.  She is and always will be perfect to me.  Chemotherapy worked to destroy the cancer, but also burned her veins.  The scarring was “permanent.” Hospital cafeteria sandwiches, potato chips and soda replaced our fresh home made meals.  It was a dire processed reality.  

I did the only thing I could — research what I could control.  We took out sugar, incorporated folate rich foods, and experimented with various diets.  She went on high protein meals loaded with kale for months.  A year into chemo, the “permanent” scar tissue dissolved.  It gave us hope that whole, clean foods could heal what modern medicine could not.  It was our small victory.

Today, I find myself catering to a health conscious and diverse community.  My journey was heavy, but from challenging and imperfect beginnings, something exciting happened. The last thing I thought I’d ever do is launch a website, but here we are, taking the first imperfect step to something good.  

How you’ll feel

comfortable in your kitchen and confident in your skills.

here’s how I can help you

  • eat

    Look for my macro friendly meals designed with whole food nutrition currently available at STRIDE Pasadena. Join Jean Tseng and Michele Canon’s Strong Not Skinny 5-Day Reset program, designed to help you build better nutritional habits and lose weight while maintaining lean muscle.

  • learn

    Refresh your weekday menu through my virtual cooking classes or hands on workshops. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned chef, I am here to guide you. We keep dishes simple, introduce you to some “third culture” flavors & offer fail proof hacks - also available for 1:1 virtual or in-home consulting.

  • Shop

    Check out my curated collection. From pantry staples to essential tools. I keep it simple and so should you. Find out what works efficiently in my kitchen and maybe you’ll like it in yours.

TESTIMONIALS

  • TWO YEARS AGO MY HUSBAND SUFFERED A MAJOR MEDICAL EMERGENCY WHICH RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO BOTH OF OUR LIVES. I WAS AND CONTINUE TO BE FOCUSED ON HELPING HIM RECOVER FROM THIS EVENT. AS A RESULT, WE ARE BOTH COMMITTED TO LIVING AS HEALTHY A LIFESTYLE AS POSSIBLE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT A FRIEND RECOMMENDED JEAN’S DELICIOUS HOMEMADE MEALS TO ME. SHE COMES UP WITH CONSISTENTLY TASTY MEALS THAT ARE EASY FOR ME TO HEAT AND EAT. MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH APPRECIATE THE VARIETY IN HER OPTIONS AND THE CREATIVE WAYS SHE HELPS US TO INCORPORATE HEALTHY MEALS IN OUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE. IN A PERFECT WORLD, I’D BE MAKING MEALS JUST LIKE THESE MYSELF BUT REALISTICALLY I’M GLAD SHE DOES IT FOR ME!

    Jane U

  • I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO WORK WITH JEAN TWICE NOW, AND I CAN’T WAIT FOR ROUND THREE. JEAN HELPED ME THROW A DUMPLING-MAKING PARTY, WHERE SHE TAUGHT 10 OF MY NEAREST AND DEAREST HOW TO MAKE DUMPLINGS. NOT ONLY WERE THEY DELICIOUS, THE ENTIRE EVENING WAS HILARIOUS AND INSTRUCTIVE, AS WE ALL GATHERED AROUND THE COUNTER, MAKING OUR OWN BEAUTIFUL DUMPLINGS. JEAN ALSO LEAD A COOKING CLASS AT MY HOUSE WITH A SMALLER GROUP. HER HUMOR, SWEETNESS AND LOVE OF COOKING TRULY SHINED. WE ALL SAT DOWN TOGETHER FOR DINNER, AND LAUGHED AND ATE THE NIGHT AWAY. HIGHLY RECOMMEND JEAN FOR YOUR NEXT CATERING EVENT, DINNER PARTY OR DUMPLING MAKING! SHE IS FABULOUS!

    Becky W

  • I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’D DO WITHOUT JEAN AND HER WEEKLY ONE PERFECT MEALS. THEY MAKE DINNER AND/OR LUNCH SO MUCH EASIER FOR ME. MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE IS HER ZUCCHINI LASAGNA. IT’S LIGHT AND YET IT FILLS ME UP AND THERE’S NO GUILT BECAUSE IT’S SUPER NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS FOR THAT MATTER!! HER BONE BROTH IS SUPERB AND I USE IT FOR MY OWN COOKING AT HOME AND DURING THE MCFIT RESET. JEAN’S WARM APPROACH TO MAKING HEALTHY ACCESSIBLE MEALS FOR ALL IS A GAME CHANGER FOR MY FAMILY. I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR HER AND HER DELICIOUS FOOD. THANK YOU JEAN!

    Kate S

  • I am a huge fan of One Perfect Meals. I first decided to try these meals because as a full-time working physician, I wanted a healthy, quick, and easily portable meal that I could take to work. A friend recommended these meals, and I was pleasantly surprised that not only did it meet those requirements, the meals were absolutely delicious and filling and did NOT break the bank. These meals are well balanced, organic, healthy, and use high quality ingredients. They are not filled with sugar, salt or other artificial ingredients. My favorite meals are the green chicken bake and the cauliflower fried rice. Some of my other favorites are the bone broth (no other chicken bone broth comes close), zucchini lasagna, chipotle chicken, veggie fritter, and chia pudding. You would never guess that these are “healthy” meals because they taste too good! For the quality of food, peace of mind knowing this is indeed a healthy meal, convenience, and price, One Perfect Mother meals are amazing AND delicious to boot.

    Chris S

  • I have often found that eating healthy and trying to get enough protein can sometimes feel overwhelming but Jean’s meals have made it easy to do both. They are well balanced and flavorful. The meals are high protein and low carb but I always feel full and satisfied. My husband and I both love them and they make for a perfect dinner during a busy week.

    Angela Z

  • To say Jean makes my life easier is an understatement. I’m a very health conscious person, who also loves great food, so being able to open my refrigerator and pull out One Perfect Meal and have it meet all my criteria is such a time saver and a treat!!!

    Chelle F

  • Jean’s bone broth is the only broth with the right consistency and the most deliciously savory taste you will ever try.

    Kim H

  • Delicious and healthy meals. So convenient for two working people who don’t always have time to cook.

    Wayne L + Rachel B

  • Jean’s One Perfect Meals are customized to give you all the protein and nutrients that your body needs. They keep you feeling full and satisfied. Her meals are so delicious and full of flavor. The amount of time it saves me is priceless. I feel so good knowing that I have a delicious and healthy meal waiting for me in the fridge. Thank you Jean for making our lives easier and our keeping our bodies strong.

    Jackie Z