Meet the Gilmore Girls Superfan Who's Cooked a Dish from Every Episode of the Show
If you're familiar with the legendary show *Gilmore Girls*, you know it has the power to turn casual viewers into full-fledged superfans. We watch the original seven seasons on repeat (now available for binge-watching on Netflix), we share our thoughts on the 2016 revival, *A Year in the Life*, and we constantly argue about which team to root for: Team Dean, Team Jess, or Team Logan (you know the drill). But as I found out while working on an essay for a new collection about the series, this fandom goes beyond simple conversations.
Take Rory's famous love for books as an example. With 518 books mentioned throughout the series, it's inspired countless book clubs, reading challenges, and even entire pages on Goodreads. But here's something even more mouthwatering: did you know that a passionate home cook in Texas loved the show so much, she embarked on a mission to recreate a dish from each of the 153 episodes and document the recipes?
That devoted superfan and culinary whiz is Larisa Kliman, a college counselor and the mastermind behind the *Eating Gilmore* blog. She’s meticulously documented every dish she’s prepared, from Luke’s iconic burger and Pop-Tarts to Sookie’s decadent desserts. Kliman became so immersed in the project that after completing all 153 episodes and *A Year in the Life*, she kicked off an Encore series this past spring. What’s it been like to cook through *Gilmore Girls*, what are her top recipes, and which character would she love to cook for? We caught up with Kliman between her rewatches.
How did you first come across Gilmore Girls?
I first stumbled upon *Gilmore Girls* while it was airing on syndication on ABC Family. It was a random summer day in middle school when I caught a scene from the pilot. Lorelai and Rory were arguing about Rory not wanting to attend Chilton after meeting Dean. The snappy, fast-paced dialogue immediately grabbed my attention. I found myself watching random episodes throughout that summer, and over the next few years in high school. It wasn’t until college when I finally bought all seven seasons on DVD and watched the entire series from start to finish.
What was it about *Gilmore Girls* that captivated you and kept you coming back for more?
*Gilmore Girls* is like a warm, comforting blanket to me. Stars Hollow has felt like home for nearly half of my life. It’s cozy and familiar. There’s always some drama, but it’s never overwhelming or too intense. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and endlessly entertaining. Even after countless re-watches, I’m still picking up on new references because Amy Sherman-Palladino’s writing is pure genius.
As someone who’s not a professional chef, what made you want to connect to *Gilmore Girls* through cooking?
I’ve loved cooking and baking since I was a kid. My early days in the kitchen involved an Easy-Bake Oven, the *Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cookbook*, and *Kids Cooking: A Very Slightly Messy Manual*. Cooking has always been a fun hobby for me, and it continues to be something I do purely for enjoyment.
I had the idea during the pandemic when I was looking for a creative project. I had come across *Bradley Bakes* in the spring of 2020, a site dedicated to recreating pop culture dishes. It wasn’t until the summer that I thought about cooking my way through *Gilmore Girls*, but I didn’t have the courage to actually begin until November. Back then, I thought it would be a huge accomplishment to get through the first season. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d still be at it four years later, having recreated over 200 *Gilmore Girls* dishes.
How did you choose what dishes to cook?
Initially, I aimed to recreate every single food and drink mentioned on the show, but that felt like an impossible task. Plus, there’s this bizarre octopus ice cream mentioned in season six that I definitely wasn’t about to try (though, surprise, I did end up making it this past summer!). Having watched the show countless times, I knew there were standout dishes in each episode that I could handle. For the most part, I chose a dish inspired by each episode, with only a few exceptions where I made something that wasn’t directly mentioned, but still tied into the plot.
You’ve done an amazing job! Three years later, you’ve recreated a dish from every one of the 153 episodes. What are some of your favorite moments?
One of my proudest moments is recreating *Sookie’s Pretzel Bid-a-Basket* from Season 2, Episode 13, ‘A-Tisket, A-Tasket.’ In the episode, Sookie goes all out to make a basket entirely from pretzels, filled with goat cheese. It was definitely a tough challenge to replicate, but I was thrilled with how it turned out!
Luke’s Pumpkin Pancakes from Season 4, Episode 9 (‘Ted Koppel’s Big Night Out’) have been my most frequently recreated dish, and they’re also one of my personal favorites. We all associate *Gilmore Girls* with autumn, and there’s nothing more fall-like than a stack of pumpkin pancakes served with homemade cinnamon butter!
A surprising standout for me was Weston’s Bakery’s Banana Cream Pie from Season 7, Episode 18 (‘Hay Bale Maze’). I wanted to put a twist on the classic banana cream pie, so I used a vanilla wafer crust, which is a key ingredient in another popular banana dessert: banana pudding. The filling is baked and has a rich, banana bread-like texture. I was really pleased with how it turned out!
What were some of the toughest recipes you had to tackle?
The pretzel basket was definitely the toughest, but another tricky dish was Sookie's *Chocolate Espresso Tassel Hat Cake* from Season 2, Episode 21 (‘Lorelai’s Graduation Day’). It took me a few tries to get it just right. Sookie really pushed me to do more intricate cooking than I ever imagined!
I also had a blast perfecting Sookie’s *Muffin Bottom Pie* from Season 7, Episode 12 (‘To Whom It May Concern’). I used muffin bottoms for the crust and made a pudding filling. I recently created a fall-inspired version of the muffin bottom pie for my *Eating Gilmore* Encore series, where I’m revisiting the show to recreate even more dishes. This time, I used apple cinnamon walnut muffins, and it turned out even better than the original!
Any cooking mishaps you’re willing to share?
I tried making *Homemade Marzipan* from Season 4, Episode 10 (‘The Nanny and the Professor’). While it didn’t taste as bad as they made it seem on the show, I struggled to shape it into the traditional forms. In the end, I only managed to make a batch of little carrots!
I wouldn’t call it a total failure, but I wasn’t a fan of *Luke’s Santa Burger* from Season 1, Episode 10 (‘Forgiveness and Stuff’). It’s one of the most iconic dishes from the show, so I felt compelled to try it, even if it wasn’t quite my taste!
Speaking of iconic foods, what do you consider the most iconic dishes from *Gilmore Girls*?
Pop-Tarts, without a doubt! If you ask anyone to name a food linked to *Gilmore Girls*, Pop-Tarts are probably the first thing that comes to mind. Over the course of my project, I’ve made several homemade versions in different flavors. Luke’s burgers are another staple. I even made my own burger buns for the series finale (Season 7, Episode 22, ‘Bon Voyage’). What’s been so fun about this journey is how many different dishes resonate with people.
Why do you think the food on *Gilmore Girls* is so memorable and inspiring?
I like to think of food as its own character in the show. There’s really no other TV show that showcases food as much as *Gilmore Girls*. With two main characters, Luke and Sookie, being chefs, and the famous Friday night dinners driving the plot, food plays a huge role in connecting the characters, advancing the story, and bringing the quirky town of Stars Hollow to life. Watching the show now, I see food in a completely different light. I always wonder if it’s a dish I’d like to recreate next time!
If you were planning an all-*Gilmore Girls* dinner party, what would your menu look like?
Oh, this is a fun one! I haven’t hosted a *Gilmore Girls* dinner party yet, but now you’ve got me thinking! Imagine a menu featuring *Gilmore Girls* classics, with a few hidden gems for the true fans!
To kick things off, I'd greet guests with *Miss Patty’s Founder’s Day Punch*. It’s the perfect way to set the tone for the evening! If you’re looking for a nonalcoholic option, my *Mint Gimlet Mocktail* would be a nod to Emily Gilmore’s favorite drink.
For appetizers, you can’t go wrong with *DAR Salmon Puffs*, *Mushroom Caps* from Richard and Emily’s party in Season 3, and of course, *Deviled Eggs*—perfect for throwing at Jess’s car!
For the main course, you absolutely have to make *Classic Luke's Burgers* (bonus points if you bake your own buns!). To complement the burgers, serve the dish Luke prepares when he steps in at the Dragonfly Inn for Sookie: *Goat Cheese in the Fennel Salad and Walnuts in the Béchamel*.
Dessert is where *Gilmore Girls* really shines, so you’ve got to go all out! Think *Homemade Mallomars* with a fun message for your guests, and *Rum Balls* from Weston’s Bakery—they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser. If you’re feeling a little more upscale, try *Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Fondue* or *Raspberry Soufflé* from Friday night dinners. For the ultimate showstopper, impress everyone with *Sookie’s Chocolate Amaretto Mousse Cake*!
If you enjoy winding down your night with coffee, you could try making *the Mocha Chocolate Caramel Swirl-a-Chino* from Weston’s Bakery. Or, for a cozy vibe, curl up with a homemade *Chai Latte*.
You’re doing an Encore series of dishes and posts on *Eating Gilmore*. What inspired you to revisit the series? What are you hoping to discover?
I wasn’t quite ready to let go! I was halfway through Season 7 and starting to plan out dishes for *A Year in the Life*, and the thought of finishing the series made me feel a little sad. There were still so many dishes left to make! But I think I’m nearing the end of this journey. I haven’t figured out what’s next for me yet—maybe I’ll start recreating dishes from other shows or even movies?
Who do you relate to most in the show when it comes to food?
Definitely Sookie! She’s the character I relate to most in terms of personality as well. I love her creativity in the kitchen, and channeling her while I cook has really helped spark my own creativity. Even if I’m not recreating one of her dishes, I often think about how she would approach a recipe.
If you could have dinner with one of the characters, who would it be and what would you cook for them?
I’d probably be too nervous to cook for Sookie—she can be quite the critic! But Lorelai would be a dream to cook for. She’s so easygoing and not at all picky, so that would take a lot of the pressure off. Plus, I’d love to just hang out with her and listen to her talk about absolutely anything!
The dish I’d make is a bit of a deep cut, but I think she’d totally enjoy it! I recreated *Dr. Pepper BBQ Chicken Nachos* from Season 5, Episode 6 (“Norman Mailer, I’m Pregnant!”) as a tribute to the nacho machine Taylor Doose gets for his market. This dish features a rich homemade cheese sauce with white cheddar and pepperjack, and is topped with roasted corn, red onion, jalapeños, cilantro, sour cream, and queso fresco. But the real star is the shredded chicken smothered in Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce! The sauce was inspired by the Texas roots of Alexis Bledel and Jared Padalecki, and I thought it would be perfect for Lorelai. I just know she’d love how rich and flavorful these nachos are!
After all this close watching (and amazing cooking), do you still watch *Gilmore Girls*?
I still love it just as much! In fact, I listen to it almost every night to help unwind before bed. If anything, it’s only become more meaningful to me over time. I guess you could say it’s basically one of my best friends—cheesy, but true!
Explore more *Gilmore Girls* passions in the new book, *Life's Short, Talk Fast: Fifteen Writers on Why We Can't Stop Watching Gilmore Girls*. The collection includes an essay on Rory Gilmore’s love for books by Tracey Minkin, edited by bestselling author (and *Gilmore* superfan) Ann Hood.
Evaluation :
5/5