Lynn Yamada Davis, a social media star known for her fast-paced and kooky "Cooking With Lynja" online tutorials, has died.
Hannah Shofet, Davis' eldest daughter, confirmed Friday to The Times that her mother died Jan. 1 at Riverview Medical Center in New Jersey from esophageal cancer. She was 67.
In a phone interview, Shofet celebrated Davis for being a "real poster child of having a family and also pursuing your dreams." She also praised her mother for representing older women and Japanese culture on social media.
"When she would go to award shows or was invited to these amazing things, it's kinda cool that she was this older … Asian American woman that was doing these things in the spotlight," Shofet said.
In a tribute published Friday on Davis' YouTube channel, her son Tim Davis recalled her "peaceful" final moments and shared several photos of the social media sensation throughout her life.
Holding a recent photo of his mother, Tim said she looked "so intelligent and elegant in this picture."
Lynn Yamada "Lynja" Davis attends the 2023 Streamy Awards Aug. 27 at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Davis, a social media star known for her “Cooking With Lynja” online tutorials, died Jan. 1 at 67.
"When I think of my mom, this is who I think of," he said. "The Internet's grandma. She was the best. So glad you guys got to experience how wonderful of a person she was and that you guys treated her so well."
Davis, a third generation Japanese American, was a maverick when it came to bite-sized cooking tutorials on social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. In 2020, Davis started her "Cooking With Lynja" YouTube channel, in collaboration with Tim, who was a freelance videographer at the time. Amid the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, she served up mouth-watering recipes and Gen Z humor in the form of wacky, over-the-top edits and cheeky jokes. She amassed a following of more than 9.6 million subscribers on YouTube, 2.2 million Instagram followers and 17.6 million TikTok followers.
An MIT alumna and former engineer, Davis said in 2021 that stay-at-home orders during the pandemic offered an opportunity to share her family recipes. Her first videos were straightforward (and relatively calm) instructional clips that walked her followers through the process of "deconstructed sushi," keto hamburgers and lasagna. But like a true content creator, Davis adapted to the changing trends of social media.
Expanding to Instagram and TikTok, "Lynja" took her cooking videos to new heights — and audiences.
Davis' shorter-form Instagram and TikTok videos tackled trending foods with flair, sharing her takes on McDonald's "Rick and Morty" Szechuan sauce, strawberry tanghulu and fellow food creator Emily Mariko's viral salmon bowl. Stylized quick cuts, miniature "Lynjas," blown-out audio and the throwing of ingredients into her backyard quickly became staples of Davis' later videos.
In recent years, Davis collaborated with a number of other food content creators including YouTube star Nick DiGiovanni. Their super-sized collaborations broke several Guinness World Records — the world's largest cake pop, chicken nugget and sushi roll among them. The duo also documented their travels to Japan, and most recently, Italy.
DiGiovanni, 27, honored Davis by celebrating another side of the internet star. In a video posted on his Instagram account Friday, DiGiovanni shared his favorite memories with Davis — including their Guinness successes, ice-skating and go-kart racing.
"Love you Lynja," he said at the end of the video.
Cooking influencers including Ahmad Alzahabi, Alessandra Ciuffo and Sam Way also paid tribute to Davis on Instagram.
In 2021, Davis earned her first food nomination for the Streamy Awards, which recognize online content creators. The next year, she won her first Streamy. She was nominated again in 2023, but the prize went to YouTube star MrBeast and his video with actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Forbes also honored Davis on its Top 50 Creators list in 2022.
Davis was open about her battle with cancer, telling her fans (the "Lynja-turtles") in May 2021 that she was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2019. She said the cancer caused her voice to sound like a number of animated characters, including Marge Simpson from "The Simpsons" and Nintendo's Toad. In 2021, she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, but also completed treatment that year.
"Long story short, I'm doing great and I love making these videos for you," she said. "If I have any advice for you, it's get check-ups annually, drink lots of water and stay close to your friends and family. Lynja out!"
In addition to Shofet, Davis is survived by husband Keith Davis, daughter Becky Steinberg, sons Tim Davis and Sean Davis and siblings Jay Yamada and Karen Yamada Dolce.
Davis was laid to rest in California during an intimate funeral service on Jan. 9, her son Sean Davis said on Instagram. The family noted that fans can donate to the Monmouth County, N.J., SPCA or the Monmouth & Ocean chapter of food charity FulFill in Davis' honor.
5 cheap and easy meal prep recipes from TikTok
1. Teriyaki Chicken Bowls
Updated@viviank.h the chokehold subway has on my bf is insane 🫠 Teriyaki Chicken Marinade: -1.5 lb chicken thighs -1/4 cup light soy sauce -1/4 cup mirin -2 tbs honey -3-5 cloves minced garlic #teriyakichicken #mealprep #mealprepideas #lunchboxideas #lunchideas ♬ Little Things - Adrian Berenguer
This teriyaki chicken bowl recipe from @viviank.h is super simple to make. The main ingredients (broccoli, chicken, and rice) are all affordable but satiating options.
2. Potatoes, Chickpeas, and Cauliflower Sheet Pan Meal
UpdatedIf you're looking for a delicious vegan option, try this sheet pan meal from @plantyou. Chickpeas, potatoes, and cauliflower are roasted to perfection and topped with a tahini and lemon sauce.
3. Adult Lunchables
Updated@nourishedbynic ADULT LUNCHABLES are the best lunch and you can’t convince me otherwise!! As a dietitian having meal prepped easy lunches like these adult lunchables (or snack plate lunch) are a great way to make sure youre nourishing your body!! #easyrecipe #adultlunchables #mealprep #dietitian #lunchideas #worklunch ♬ Music Sounds Better with You - NEIL FRANCES
Call them "girl dinners," snack plates, or adult Lunchables, but the idea is the same. The most cooking you have to do for this nutritionist-approved meal prep idea from @nourishedbynic is boiling an egg.
4. Chipotle Steak Burrito Bowl
Updated@jalalsamfit High Protein Chipotle Steak Bowls Meal Prep! All for 500 Calories!🔥 One of the most popular meals from Chipotle, packed with lots of flavor, perfect for weight loss and so easy to meal prep for the week!💪🏽🔥 Macros per serving (4 total) 523 Calories | 54g Protein | 47g Carbs | 12g Fat Ingredients (4 servings) - 800g Lean Topside Beef (Cut into steaks - you can used any cut of beef you like) - Season both sides with 2 tsp Garlic Powder - 2 tsp Parsley - 2 tsp Paprika - 2 tsp Cumin - 2 tsp Salt & Pepper - 3 tsp Olive Oil Creamy Avocado Sauce (can be stored in the fridge for other use) - 140g Avocado - 200g Fat free Yogurt (Brand: Milbona) - Handful Coriander/Cilantro - 1/2 tsp Garlic, Salt, Pepper Pico de Gallo - 1 chopped Large Tomato - 1 Red Onion - 1/2 Red & Green Bell Peppers - Chopped Coriander - 1/2 tsp Salt, Pepper - 1/2 or 1 Lime Juice Extra sides - 140g cooked coriander lime rice per serving - Shredded Lettuce - Black Beans - Sweetcorn - (Optional) Shredded Cheese Find more Easy & Delicious Recipes like this in my Digital Cookbook!👨🍳❤️ Important Cooking Notes - Marinate the steak for as long as possible, overnight works perfectly for added flavour - When cooking the steak make sure the heat is not too high, you don’t want the spices to burn. Dpending on the thickness of the steak, cook 4 mins each side then repeat 2 mins each side - For easy reheating I would store the lettuce, salsa, sweetcorn, beans and avocado sauce seperately then add to the bowl when ready to eat - You can make the salsa and avocado sauce in advance and store in the fridge for a few days for future use . . . . . #chipotle #burritobowl #steak #beef #mealprep #beefsteak #healthyrecipes #highprotein #lowcalorie #lowcaloriemeals #easyrecipes #healthymeals #weightloss #fatloss #foodie #gymfood #fitness #mexicanfood ♬ original sound - Jalalsamfit
This dupe of Chipotle's popular steak burrito bowl from @jalalsamfit will save you money on work lunches but still give you something to look forward to in the middle of the day.
5. Hashbrown Bowl Meal Prep
Updated@teachertastes Hashbrown Bowl Meal Prep This recipe is so easy and it’s like having your own little egg casserole each day. Use class containers so you can cook it in the container. *i used 28 oz glass containers that are linked in my meal prep highlight* For four breakfasts: -10 eggs (you can add more if you’d like) -4 cups frozen shredded hash browns -1/2 cup cheese or choice -8 mini precooked chicken breakfast sausages -salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes -fresh chives -optional: add a diced red pepper or a veggie of choice 1. Preheat oven to 350 2. Whisk together eggs with seasoning until well combined 3. Spray each individual glass container with avocado oil spray 4. Add 1 cup Hashbrowns to the bottom of each glass 5. Cut up chicken sausage and divide between four bowls (I sautéed mine for a little before to brown it but since they are precooked you can skip this step) 6. Divide eggs into four containers by pouring them over the Hashbrowns 7. Top with shredded cheese 8. Bake for 35 mins 9. After baking top with fresh chives 10. Enjoy for 4 days in fridge or freeze
♬ original sound - teachertastes
If you have a little trouble getting up in the morning, meal prepping ensures you get a satisfying breakfast before you start your day. Try this easy hashbrown bowl meal prep recipe from @teachertastes for a brighter morning.
