Authenticity in Bloom: Loria Stern’s Floral Revolution in Food

Article by: Janna Tamargo | Photography by Eat Your Flowers | Published March 20, 2025

The first day of spring brings with it a sense of renewal with longer days, warmer breezes, and the first bursts of color from blooming flowers. While many of us are eager to plant flowers in our winter-weary gardens, have you ever considered eating them? Few people can claim to have transformed the way we look at flowers quite like Loria Stern. With her signature botanical-pressed cookies, vibrant floral cakes, and an entire line of edible flower products, Stern has made an art form out of nature. What began as a creative experiment in her home kitchen has grown into Eat Your Flowers, a thriving brand that celebrates beauty, sustainability, and the power of edible botanicals.

From Garden to Kitchen: Loria Stern’s Culinary Journey

Loria Stern’s path to floral gastronomy wasn’t conventional. “Growing up, I loved food,” she shares, reflecting on her early culinary passions. A trained pastry chef with a background in plant-based cooking, she first gained attention when her hand-pressed flower shortbread cookies went viral on Instagram. Combining delicate, colorful blooms with classic baking techniques, she created treats that were as visually stunning as they were delicious.

Her philosophy is simple yet revolutionary: food should be as beautiful as it is nourishing. Inspired by the edible plants growing around her California home, Stern began experimenting with pressed flowers, natural dyes, and herbal flavors. What started as a personal passion soon evolved into a business, leading to the launch of Eat Your Flowers, a brand that now offers everything from flower-pressed baked goods to edible flowerfetti sprinkles, and even a cookbook on how to transform botanical ingredients into recipes.

The Art of Edible Flowers

Edible flowers have long been used in culinary traditions worldwide, from saffron in Persian cuisine to squash blossoms in Mexican dishes. But Stern has taken the concept to new heights, creating food that feels like a cross between fine art and haute cuisine. Her cookies, adorned with vibrant pansies, calendula, and marigolds, have become iconic, offering a sensory experience that bridges taste, texture, and aesthetics. Beyond their beauty, edible flowers offer a spectrum of flavors, some delicate and sweet, others peppery or citrusy. Stern’s approach is deeply rooted in seasonality, sustainability, and sourcing from local growers. 

Authenticity and Inspiration

When asked about authenticity in food, Stern acknowledges its complexity. “Of course, I think about it,” she says. “Too many people make claims about authenticity… it's become blurred.” For Stern, authenticity lies in feeding family and in how we connect over shared meals. For Stern, food from different cultures draws inspiration from one another, a concept that resonates deeply in her work. Inspired by Asian markets in California, she incorporates global influences into her creations, demonstrating how authenticity can be fluid and deeply personal.

Eat Your Flowers: A Movement in Food Aesthetics

Since launching Eat Your Flowers, Stern has expanded her offerings to include floral-infused granola, colorful pasta, and even flower-petal cheese. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, and Bon Appétit, further solidifying her role as a pioneer in the edible flower movement. At a time when food trends lean toward hyper-processed, uniform aesthetics, Stern’s work feels refreshingly organic and authentic. Each cookie or cake she creates is unique, no two are ever exactly alike, mirroring the natural world’s imperfection and beauty.

Her philosophy encourages people to slow down and appreciate the artistry of food. Whether it’s a floral shortbread with a cup of tea or a lavender-laced cake for a special occasion, Eat Your Flowers offers a reminder that food is more than sustenance, it truly is an experience.

Loria Stern’s influence extends beyond her own kitchen. More chefs, bakers, and home cooks are embracing edible flowers in their dishes, inspired by her vision. From flower-dusted cocktails to herbal-infused desserts, the movement is growing, making food more vibrant, seasonal, and expressive.

Whether you’re a longtime admirer of Stern’s work or just discovering the beauty of floral-infused foods, Eat Your Flowers is a testament to the magic that happens when nature and creativity meet in the kitchen. More than just a trend, it reflects a deeper yearning for authenticity, one that is rooted in tradition, innovation, and the simple joy of sharing something beautiful and delicious with others.