Lynn Yamada Davis, a TikTok culinary personality celebrated for her humorous cooking content, has passed away at the age of 67, as announced by her son on social media on Friday. He shared that her final moments were remarkably serene, and she was surrounded by loved ones during her passing.
According to her daughter, Hannah Mariko Shofet, Lynn succumbed to esophageal cancer, as reported to The New York Times.
In a social media post, Davis’ son presented a montage of images capturing various stages of her life – from childhood to her time as a student at MIT, and post-graduation with a degree in civil engineering. He fondly described her as “cool” while sharing glimpses of her as a young mother alongside his older brother, a professional soccer player, emphasizing her pride in motherhood. The collection included pictures of their former kitchen and shots of Davis engaging in her passion for running, having completed eight marathons, as per her son.
A mother of four, as detailed in a MIT Alumni Association profile, Davis initially embarked on the Cooking with Lynja journey with Tim, her youngest child. Although follower growth was gradual initially, a TikTok video in 2021 demonstrating the preparation of a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich propelled her to viral fame.
Davis boasted nearly 30 million followers across various platforms, where she shared extravagant cooking videos, frequently engaging in playful banter with her children. On platforms like TikTok, where she amassed 17.8 million followers, Davis featured in videos sampling dishes from around the globe, yet she predominantly showcased her culinary skills from the comfort of her home.
Whether preparing wagyu steaks after expressing dissatisfaction with the $100 price tag or enjoying sandwiches while soaking her feet in a kiddie pool, Davis consistently exuded a grandmotherly charm. The persona of “Little Lynja,” an alter character, frequently made appearances in her videos, either reprimanding her or offering cooking guidance.
In 2022, Davis earned a Streamy Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to online video content.
Described as the “internet’s grandma” by her son in the concluding moments of Friday’s video, he expressed, “She was the best,” conveying his gratitude that her audience had the opportunity to witness her wonderful personality. He extended his thanks for the enjoyable video-making journey over the past couple of years, emphasizing the shared moments and fun experiences.
