San Francisco-based Irvin Lin, is known as the baker, writer, recipe maker. His blog, Eat the Love, features an extensive archive of tantalizing treats including a series of “wordless recipes." Here, everything looks as good as it tastes thanks to Lin’s keen eye, passion for food and attention to detail.

Name: Irvin Lin
Blog: EatTheLove.com
Founded: 2010
Twitter: @EattheLove
Instagram: @eatthelove

Describe your cooking style in three words: Innovative flavor combinations.

What’s your signature dish? Blackberry Lemon Chess Pie with Mixed Berry Honey Sauce.

What do you think is the most underrated ingredient? Soy Sauce —the real stuff, not the fake carry-out or the cheap American-made stuff. Nearly everyone has a bottle of it, but people only think to use it in Asian cuisine. You can add it to nearly anything you’re cooking in place of salt, and it adds a layer of complexity and umami savoriness. Try using some next time you sauté button mushrooms, it’ll make them taste more “mushroom-y.” Fish sauce actually works great as well, but not everyone has a bottle of it. Most people have a bottle of soy sauce.

What’s the best cooking advice you’ve ever received? Taste while you cook and season liberally with salt. People tend to under salt their food. If it tastes flat, add salt. Don’t be afraid of it.

If you could share a meal with anyone in history who would it be? The Japanese author Haruki Murakami. I’ve been a huge fan of his fiction for years, and I think he would make a fascinating dinner companion to converse with. The way he intersects surreal plotlines, parallel worlds, mysterious women and random cats in his books make me think he would be a great person to converse with while sharing a meal. Plus, I’d love to ask him why he’s obsessed with women’s ears.

Images courtesy of EattheLove.com